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SBS Guide for Researchers

Guide :: Informed Consent

Informed Consent

An informed consent process is the ethical foundation for any research involving human participants.  In addition, federal regulations require IRBs to ensure that participants are fully informed about a study before they agree to participate.  These regulations are based on the belief that researchers are ethically obligated to fully inform participants so the subjects can make a decision whether to participate that is based on a complete understanding of the risks and benefits of participation.  In addition, informed participants are better participants; they are more serious about participating in a study and they are better able to understand what it is that a researcher needs to know about them and what is required of them. The type and extent of the consent process will depend on the kind of research you are conducting and the level of risk that is involved. 

Section Topics:

	>>	How do I develop a consent procedure?
	>>	Participant Recruitment
	>>	Basic Consent Scenario
	>>	Special Consent Situations
				Parent Consent/ Child Assent
				Surrogate Consent / Assent
				Prisoners Consent
				Non-English speaking participants
				Oral Consent
				Participant Debriefing
				Deception
				Releasing materials for use beyond the study
				Using Multi-Media (photography, video tapes, audio tapes, etc)
				Waiver of Documentation of Consent
				Concerns about Abuse, Illegal Behaviors, Certificate of Confidentiality
				Compensation for Injury
	>>	When is consent not required?
	>>	Quick Guide to Consent Templates
	>>	Guide for the General Consent Template
	>>	Keeping Good Records
	>>	Tips for writing a consent form and using the templates

Next: Developing a consent procedure >>

Guide :: Informed Consent