What is Consent?
Informed consent is a critical element of research which helps protect both the participants and the researchers. In order to ensure consent, researchers must provide potential participants with information about the risks of, potential benefits of, and alternatives to the study. Once participants are well informed about the study, they may choose to sign an informed consent document to show that they have informed about the study. This is not a contract, however, and participants may always choose to withdraw from a study at any time.
Elements of Informed Consent
Informed consent is a critical element of research which helps protect both the participants and the researchers. In order to ensure consent, researchers must provide potential participants with information about the risks of, potential benefits of, and alternatives to the study. Once participants are well informed about the study, they may choose to sign an informed consent document to show that they have informed about the study. This is not a contract, however, and participants may always choose to withdraw from a study at any time.
Elements of Informed Consent
- Information
- This may include verbal instructions, question-and-answer sessions, and/or activities
- Informed consent document
- This shows that the participant is informed and willing to participate in the study
