role vulnerable individual role A role that inheres in an agent or group of agents that is the output of a process during which the agent or group of agents is designated as belonging to a vulnerable group. E.g., "There are several definitions available for the term 'vulnerable population', the words simply imply the disadvantaged sub-segment of the community requiring utmost care, specific ancillary considerations and augmented protections in research. The vulnerable individuals’ freedom and capability to protect one-self from intended or inherent risks is variably abbreviated, from decreased freewill to inability to make informed choices." Preethi Shivayogi (2013). Vulnerable population and methods for their safeguard. Perspectives in clinical research, 4(1), 53-7. J. Neil Otte and Cooper Stansbury Note: It is possible to belong to a vulnerable population and yet not bear a disposition of vulnerability. Typically, when a person is held to be a vulnerable individual, this is a designation that applies by fiat in virtue of their membership to some legally designated group, and not based on a clear investigation of their individual case. Hence, it seems prudent here to use roles for this purpose.