Final answer:
The use of terms 'participants' and 'respondents' is indeed preferred in modern research to reflect voluntary and active engagement. These terms are seen as more ethical and indicative of informed consent compared to 'research subjects,' though the latter term may still be used in reference to historic studies such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that terms like "participants" and "respondents" are preferred to indicate how individuals were involved in research, especially in psychological and social sciences. These terms are used to reflect that individuals engaged in the study have done so voluntarily and are actively contributing data to the research project. The term "research subjects" might be used in certain historic contexts where informed consent was not obtained or the individuals were not treated ethically, but in modern research ethics, "participants" is favored to reflect agency and consent.
For example, college students are commonly used as research participants in many psychological studies, although the representativeness of this demographic might be limited. Thus, the findings from studies with such participants may not be easily generalized to the broader population. Additionally, in survey research, the format of questioning—whether through closed or open questions—can significantly affect the responses collected, which can be both quantitative and qualitative data.
It's also important to note that some research designs involve the use of confederates, who are individuals in on the research design and are different from naïve particpants. Surveys done via self-selection, like internet surveys, may also lead to results that are not entirely reliable due to the potential bias in who chooses to respond.