Participant Information
OHRP and its IRB ensure under federal law that all WVU research protects participants’ rights, welfare, and well-being. Research cannot begin until the IRB reviews and approves the protocol.
Concerns
Research participants and others can communicate a concern or complaint about a research project via EthicsPoint.
Participants who have questions about their rights as a research participant can contact the WVU Office of Human Research Protections by phone or email.
Rights
Every research participant has the following rights:
- To be treated with respect, including respect for your decision to enroll in, continue in, or stop participating.
- To be given time to read the consent form and have the research explained to you.
- To be given time to ask questions and be informed of contacts for questions and concerns.
- To be given a copy of your signed consent.
Considerations
Questions that you should ask before you agree to participate in research:
- Why is the research being done?
- What will be done to me during the research?
- How will I benefit from the research?
- Could the research hurt me?
- What will the researcher do with my information?
- Will the research cost me anything?
- Who pays if I'm unexpectedly injured as a result of participation?
- How long will the research project last?
- What happens if I decide to stop participating before the research project is completed?
See HRP–104—Brochure—Should I Take Part in Research? (DOCX) for additional information.