What is informed consent?

What is informed consent?

• A. Document that a participant agrees to participate after being informed about risks and benefits
• B. Verbal permission only
• C. A form signed by the researcher
• D. An assumption that participants share information

Answer: (A)

Informed consent is the process where a participant understands what the study involves, including potential risks and benefits, and agrees to participate of their own free will. The best choice describes a document that records this agreement after the participant has been informed about risks and benefits, capturing both informed disclosure and voluntary consent. It’s more than just verbal permission, not merely a form the researcher signs, and it isn’t an assumption about what participants know.

Informed consent is the process where a participant understands what the study involves, including potential risks and benefits, and agrees to participate of their own free will. The best choice describes a document that records this agreement after the participant has been informed about risks and benefits, capturing both informed disclosure and voluntary consent. It’s more than just verbal permission, not merely a form the researcher signs, and it isn’t an assumption about what participants know.