Introducton

Well-informed participation

Limits to Informed Consent

Information Sheets

Written Consent

General features

Necessary Information

Well-informed Participation

It is all too easy to manipulate a person's 'voluntary' consent by exploiting their ignorance, fears and respect for experts. The Committee will look closely to see whether those who are asked to participate in a piece of research are properly informed as to:

• what they are being asked to do and
• what the likely consequences are for them should they participate.

It should also be made clear in writing to participants that there are no disadvantages/penalties/adverse consequences to not participating, or of withdrawing from the research. This is particularly important where the would-be participant is dependent on the researcher or close colleagues for continued treatment, or is a student of the researcher.