Review the IRB's guidelines on recruiting study subjects.
You must obtain and document informed consent from prospective research subjects before initiating any screening or study procedures (with few exceptions).
- Signed consent: Required for greater than minimal risk studies and some minimal risk studies
- Verbal consent or electronic consent with use of an information sheet, or implied consent (waiver of signed consent): Allowed in minimal risk research under certain circumstances
- Waiver of all consent: Granted for minimal risk studies that meet specific criteria
- May also be possible in emergency care and other limited circumstances
There are special consent requirements for research that involves non-English speakers or certain vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women.
Subjects also may need to sign a HIPAA authorization form for research and/or receive a copy of the Experimental Subject's Bill of Rights.