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

Before You Decide

By becoming a volunteer in a research study, you are placing a great deal of trust in the research team. Before you decide whether or not to volunteer for the research study, you should think about all of the informed consent information you have been given.

Some things to remember:

• Your participation is voluntary
• The importance of knowing and understanding all your rights as a research study participant
• To know and understand the purpose of the research study and the risks and benefits involved
• All your medical and personal information is kept confidential
• As a volunteer, you are becoming a partner with the research team. Share your concerns and ask as many questions as you need to.
• Your responsibility is to be informed before you make a decision whether to volunteer in a research study

Be aware of:

• Any pressure you might feel to please your doctor or the research team.
• Any thoughts of depending on someone else to make the decision for you. For example, you may want a doctor or research team to make the decision for you.
• If your physical and emotional state makes your decision to volunteer difficult
• Your willingness to volunteer just to please the research team

The final decision to become a volunteer is yours to make.

Making this decision might mean taking the Informed Consent information home and thinking about it or talking with family, your doctor, a clergy member, or someone else that you trust. Take the time you need to make your decision.

If you do decide to volunteer for a research study, usually you will be asked to sign an informed consent document. One example of when you will not need to sign an informed consent document is if you are answering an anonymous survey.