Informed consent is an ethical standard by which potential participants are informed of the topic, procedure, risks, and benefits of participants prior to consenting to participate. There are a few situations when a researcher may dispense with informed consent, such as when the study involves observations in natural and public situations and the participants cannot later be identified. Once you start manipulating situations, interacting with participants, making audio or visual recordings of participants, or asking them to complete questionnaires, informed consent is almost always necessary.
An informed consent form should include the following information:
1. the purpose of the research or topic of study
2. what participants will do and how long it will take
3. possible benefits of participation, including any incentives provided by the researchers
4. any potential risks to participation, including physical or emotional pain or discomfort as well as any risks to confidentiality
5. steps that will be taken to safeguard the participants’ confidentiality
6. the right to decline to participate and the right to withdraw from the study after it begins
7. verification that declining or withdrawing will not negatively impact the participants and they will still receive any incentives promised by the researcher
8. the names and contact information of the researchers and supervisors
9. a place for the participant (and legal guardian of the participant, if applicable) to indicate that they give their consent for participation