Informed consent forms are used in any kind of research in which people are involved. This includes almost all modern ethnobotany research. Informed consent includes two key elements: provision of very clear information about the research to be conducted with the reasonable expectation of what the results will be, and a clear choice by any participant in the project to participate or not, and if not, an indication that they will receive the same benefits as anyone who chooses to participate. You are expected to produce one example of an informed consent statement package for a project that you could theoretically complete.
In addition to the two necessary elements of an informed consent form, most also include two other elements: A researcher statement and general IRB (Institutional Review Board) information. For the purposes of this course, the researcher statement will be required but because of time constraints, the IRB information is optional. However, in a non-teaching situation, when the research will be published, the IRB approval and information is mandatory.
Project Title and Investigator Information: These elements should be brief and descriptive. The investigator information should list the primary person responsible and how to contact them (address, phone number, email address).
General Statement: This is a clear statement of what the research will involve (surveys, gathering samples, filming, etc.), who the research will involve, how the results will be 1) distributed to other researchers, 2) distributed to local governments, 3) distributed back to the community of origin, and 4) archived in perpetuity. Any other aspects of the research that involve ethical considerations should be addressed.
Researcher Statement: This is a clear statement describing each of the researchers and includes sufficient information about personal backgrounds and why the work is being conducted. This should be provided with enough detail that it will satisfy members of the community where the research is being conducted. This should also include specific expectations about the research project while not biasing the outcome by describing the expected results.
Question (Consent Request): This is a very clear and concise question that describes the research and then asks permission of a person to be a participant and to share their knowledge (about plants) as part of this research project.
IRB information: Each institution, such as government agencies and universities, has an IRB panel responsible for the oversight of research conducted by their employees and others working under their responsibility. At the University of Hawai`i, the Committee on Human Subjects oversees most ethnobotany research and therefore reviews most proposals for research projects. Survey instruments, interview forms or other paperwork that is shared with the participants contain information on how to contact the Committee on Human Subjects so that informants can contact this oversight committee if they have questions or concerns.
Examples: Consent forms submitted by students are available to students currently registered in this course on this link.
Informed Consent Form Evaluation Rubric
Total Points = 40