Is a Research Study for You?
A Guide to Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Participant in a Research Study

Asking Questions

In this section you will read about the importance of asking question to understand the information given to you:

• If Medical words are hard to understand
• If English is your second language
• If written words are hard to understand

Understanding the information given to you
During your meeting with the research team, you will be given detailed information about the research study. Your decision to volunteer for a research study requires that you understand the details of the study. So keep asking questions until you understand. Realize the research team is there to answer all of your questions.

If Medical Terms are being used
In some cases, the details of the research study may be described to you in medical terms or in words that are hard to understand. At any time, you can ask the Research Team to explain the information by:

• drawing pictures
• showing a video
• giving you written examples
• talking with you using everyday language and fewer medical words
• giving you an opportunity to repeat the information as you understand it

If English is your second language
In some cases, the details of the research study may be described in a language that you are not familiar with. At any time, you can ask the Research Team to:

• explain the information in a language that you understand
• you can ask for an interpreter who will explain the information in your native language

If written words are hard to understand
There are many people who get along without reading well or understanding written language. Please tell the research team if reading or written words are hard for you to understand. The research team will help by talking with you instead of providing written material.

Part of your decision about volunteering for a research study will be based on the information given to you during the informed consent process.

The research team expects you to keep asking questions until you understand all of the information.