Recruiters should have enough knowledge about a research topic so that they can provide accurate information to potential subjects.
There are people who should avoid obtaining consent from subjects, such as:
- Someone who is a personal acquaintance to potential subjects. For example, researchers should avoid recruiting their own friends or colleagues.
- Someone who is superior to potential subjects, or whom potential subjects are dependent upon. For example, doctors should not recruit their own patients.
Subjects may find it more difficult to turn down an invitation from an acquaintance or superior due to worries that this would negatively affect their relationship or cause them to lose benefits that they are otherwise entitled to.
The task of recruiting subjects should be delegated to someone who is impartial and less likely to impose undue pressure on potential subjects (e.g. a research assistant).