Which group includes individuals who may require additional protections in research according to federal regulations?

Individuals who may require additional protections in research are primarily those who are deemed vulnerable due to their circumstances or characteristics, and prisoners fall into this category according to federal regulations. The rationale behind providing these additional protections is rooted in historical contexts where vulnerable populations were exploited in research without adequate safeguards.

Prisoners are considered a vulnerable population because their freedom is restricted, which may impair their ability to provide truly voluntary consent. There may be inherent power dynamics at play, where prisoners might feel pressured to participate in studies for fear of repercussions regarding their treatment or access to resources. Consequently, federal regulations mandate that special considerations and protections be established for research involving prisoners to ensure their rights and well-being are not compromised.

The other groups mentioned, while they may experience disadvantages in various contexts, do not have the specific legal and regulatory requirements for protection in research that apply to prisoners. Hence, prisoners are distinctly recognized in regulations as requiring additional safeguards to uphold ethical standards in research.