Koehenkilö

Koehenkilö is a Finnish term meaning a person who participates in a test or experiment. The word combines koke- meaning "test, trial" and -henkilö meaning "person." In Finnish research and product testing, a koehenkilö is the human subject of a study, experiment, or evaluation. The term is used across contexts such as clinical trials, pharmacological research, usability testing, and consumer product assessments. Depending on context, more precise terms such as tutkimusosallistuja (research participant) or kliinisen tutkimuksen koehenkilö may be used; in everyday language koehenkilö can carry a neutral or clinical tone.

Ethical and legal considerations govern the use of koehenkilöitä in research. Participation should be voluntary, and informed consent must be obtained. Participants should be adequately informed about the purpose, procedures, risks, and potential benefits of the study, and they must be allowed to withdraw at any time without penalty. Studies involving human subjects are typically reviewed by ethics committees, and researchers must comply with data protection regulations to safeguard personal information.

In modern Finnish usage, researchers and regulators often prefer terminology such as tutkimusosallistuja or osallistuja to emphasize voluntary participation and respect for persons. Nevertheless, koehenkilö remains a widely understood term in academic and regulatory contexts as a neutral description of a person who is the subject of testing or experimentation. See also: test subject, clinical trial, informed consent.