description of coercion A descriptive information content entity that describes expressions or implications of threat that may compel an agent to act out of fear against the agent's will. An international review board (IRB) may require a research proposal to identify ways in which a participant may be under undue influence. For example, a prisoner may feel compelled, given their vulnerability, to provide more information or cooperation in a study than they would normally consent to, because of the benefits they might receive. Cooper Stansbury and J. Neil Otte It may be necessary to define processes of coercion in addition to descriptions of the process. descriptive information content entity