MinerAlert
Research participants are a valued part of all successful human subjects research.
The University of Texas at El Paso recognizes the importance of your decision whether or not to participate in research.
Your participation is voluntary and you may choose not to participate or to stop participating at any time.
Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with The University of Texas at El Paso.
We hope this webpage will answer any questions you may have.
Students, staff and faculty across campus, and members of the surrounding community may be asked at one time or another to participate in research.
Our research includes both national and international participants.
Participation might require filling out a survey, responding to service or opinion questionnaires, or being interviewed.
Participants respond online, in person, by phone, or email.
Some research involves kinesthetic, physiological, or psychological experiments.
The level of risk involved in research depends on its
Consider the level of risk in research and compare it to any benefits when deciding if you should participate in human subjects research.
The researcher conducting the study should provide you with answers to specific questions about the study. You may contact the researcher with questions at any time before, during or after the study.
If you would like general information about a research project, or if you have questions, concerns, complaints or want to discuss problems or your rights as a research subject with someone unaffiliated with the study, contact the IRB Office.
If you are asked to consent to be a subject in research, or if you are asked to consent for someone else, you have the right to:
Learn the nature and purpose of the experiment (also called project, study or clinical trial).
Receive an explanation of the procedures and any drug or device to be used.
Receive a description of any discomforts and risks that you could experience from the study.
Learn about any benefits you might expect from the study.
Learn about the risks and benefits of any other available procedures, drugs or devices that might be helpful to you.
Learn what medical treatment will be made available to you if you should be injured because of the study.
Ask any questions about the study or the procedures involved.
Quit the study at any time.
Receive a copy of the signed and dated consent form.
Decide to consent or not to consent to a study without feeling forced, obligated, or coerced.
What interests me in this study?
Why would I want to or need to participate in the study?
When does this study take place?
Where does the study take place?
How long does the study last?
Is this study safe?
Do I feel that I can trust the researchers?
Who gains from my participation?
Does this study have IRB approval?
Am I feeling pressure or obligation to participate in the study?
Who can I contact with questions or concerns that is not involved in the research study?
If I really wanted to quit would I be able to?
Am I learning anything from participating?
How will I be notified if risks or benefits to the study change?
How is my privacy being protected?
Is this study confidential or anonymous?
Child Assent Requirements
If the IRB determines that assent is not required for some, or all children in a study, it is usually because:
Generally, written documentation of parental permission is required when recruiting and enrolling children in research. The documentation must signify “active” permission. The parent specifically signs the document granting permission for the child to participate in the research. “Passive” permission, where the researcher assumes permission is given if the permission form is not returned, is not allowed.
However, the IRB will consider requests for a waiver of the requirement for parental permission and/or a waiver of the requirement to obtain written documentation of consent on a case-by-case basis.
The IRB may determine that the research is designed for conditions or a subject population where parental permission is not a reasonable requirement to protect the subjects and may approve a waiver. The researcher must take appropriate steps to protect the children participating in the research and the waiver must be consistent with federal, state, and local law.
A waiver of parental permission and/or written documentation of parental permission may not be allowable under the requirements of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment for research conducted in a school setting.
For many studies, especially those conducted in schools, reimbursement is generally not appropriate.
However, if the PI believes that reimbursement is appropriate, the following general guidelines will be followed:
Informed consent should be viewed as an ongoing process throughout the duration of a research project. When a child reaches the legal age of consent (18 years old in Texas) during research, they are considered to be an adult. Requirements for child assent or parental permission no longer apply.
Unless the IRB determines that the requirements for obtaining informed consent can be waived, the PI get legally effective informed consent for any ongoing interactions or interventions with the subject. Informed Consent is also required if the research does not involve any ongoing interactions or interventions with the subjects, but continues analysis of specimens or data for which the subject’s identity is readily available to the PI.
Children who are wards of the state or any other agency, institution, or entity can be included in research in categories 1 or 2 above.
Wards may participate in categories 3 or 4 above only if the research is:
An advocate will be appointed for each ward, in addition to a guardian or in loco parents. One advocate may represent more than one child. The advocate must have the background and experience to agree to act in the best interests of the ward for the duration of the research and is not associated (except in the role as advocate or member of the IRB) with the research, the PI(s), or the guardian organization.