CONSENT FORM TEMPLATE

TITLE OF STUDY (type it here)

Investigator (Faculty/Staff):                                                       Phone:________________________

Campus Address:

Co-Investigators/Students:

 

We invite you to participate in a study of…

[If there is selection criteria for the study, the following wording should also appear in the first paragraph]

You have been selected for this study because…

Investigational Procedures

If you choose to participate in this study, you will…

[Be sure to describe what the participants will be asked to do and to estimate the amount of time required of the participants in your study  If you are conducting a survey or interview, it is helpful to describe the type of questions and to even provide an example of the questions to be asked..]

Risks and Benefits

[If the research is classified as having “minimal risk,” the following wording is recommended.]

This investigational procedure does not pose any more risk than you experience in normal daily living.  If you participate in this study, you may experience (…any potential benefits to the participant…) and the satisfaction that comes with research and discovery. We appreciate your assistance in our research effort and hope you will find the experience rewarding.  We do not promise, however, that you will receive any of these benefits.

 [If the research is classified as having “more than minimal risk,” the following wording is recommended.]

Research studies often involve some risk. The risks of this study are…(use plain language).

In addition, it is possible in any experiment that harmful effects that are not known could occur.  Of course we will take every precaution to watch for and prevent any side effects.

If you participate in this study, you may experience (…any potential benefits to the participant…) and the satisfaction that comes with research and discovery. We appreciate your assistance in our research effort and hope you will find the experience rewarding. We do not promise, however, that you will receive any of these benefits.


Privacy of Records

[If it will be possible to trace a data record back to the participant, use the following statement.]

Any information that we learn about you that can be traced to you will be used responsibly and will be protected against release to unauthorized persons.

[If there will be no way to trace a data record back to the participant, as with an anonymous survey, use the following statement.]

Although your data record is totally anonymous,  be assured that the information you provide will be used responsibly and will be protected against release to unauthorized persons.

In addition to those who usually have access to this data (state who all that would be), your data record will likely be shown to members of the investigation team listed on this form.  If you sign this form you have given us permission to release information to these persons. The results of this study may be published in the (select the one that applies -- professional, medical, educational) literature, but no publication will contain information that will identify you.

 

Payment

You will receive (identify amount of payment) for you participation in this study.

 OR

You will receive no payment for participating in this study.

Conclusion

[For students, faculty, and staff:]

Your decision whether or not to participate in this study is voluntary and will not affect your standing at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

[For participants recruited from outside the University:]

Your decision to participate in the study is voluntary.

[Followed by:]

Even if you decide to participate, you may stop and withdraw at any time.  Of course we will tell you anything during the study that may help you decide whether to continue participation.  You are making a decision whether or not you will participate in this study.  If you sign this form, you will have agreed that you will participate based on reading and understanding this form.  If you have any questions, please ask one of the investigators identified on the front of this form.

If you have any questions regarding research participants’ rights, please contact Dr. Christine Offutt, Chair, Lock Haven University Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects at coffutt@lhup.edu or (570)484-2400.

You will receive an unsigned copy of this form.

                                                                                                Date_______________________
                   Participant Signature                                             

 

                                                                                                Date_______________________
   Member of Investigational Team Signature