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For Participants

Thank you for your interest in research! At the heart of every breakthrough, from new life-saving medications to deeper insights into human behavior, is a volunteer. When you choose to participate in research, you are a vital partner in a mission to improve lives and expand the boundaries of knowledge.

Participation in research is voluntary – you are never required to join a study, and you can change your mind and withdraw at any time without penalty. Deciding to participate in research is a significant personal choice. The primary mission of the Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) at the University of South Alabama is to ensure that your rights, safety, and well-being are protected every step of the way. We are here to provide the transparency and resources you need to make an informed decision that feels right for you.

What You Should Know

Research is a type of investigation done to answer a question. Participating in research is different from receiving standard medical care or education. Before you decide to take part in a research study, it is important to understand what the study involves and processes in place to protect your rights:

  • Voluntary Participation: You are never required to join a research study, and you can change your mind and withdraw at any time without penalty.
  • Informed Consent: This is a process, not just a signature. Researchers must explain the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and potential benefits in language you can easily understand.
  • The Role of the IRB: Every research study involving humans is reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), an independent committee dedicated to ensuring the study is ethical and risks are minimized.

Resources for You

Explore the links below to better understand your journey as a research partner

About Research Participation What you need to know before you decide
 

 

▼   Medical Research Subjects Bill of Rights

If you are invited to participate as a subject in a medical research study or are asked to consent on behalf of another, you have the right to:

  1. Be informed of the purpose of the research.
  2. Be given an explanation of the procedures to be followed in the research protocol and of any drug or device to be used.
  3. Be given a description of any discomfort, risk, or potential medical complication that reasonably could be expected to occur as a consequence of participation in the research study.
  4. Be advised of any potential benefits from your participation in the research, if applicable.
  5. Be informed of any procedures, drugs or devices that might be of help to you and provide an alternative to participation in the research.
  6. Be informed of the process required to receive medical treatment promptly should complications arise as a result of your participation in the research.
  7. Be given an opportunity to ask any questions concerning the research.
  8. Be instructed that you may discontinue your participation in the research study at any time without jeopardizing the future medical care you receive at USA.
  9. Be given a copy of a signed and dated written consent form, whenever written consent is required.
  10. Be given the opportunity to decide freely and without undue pressure from others whether or not to participate in the research.
▼   Questions to Ask

You have the right to know exactly what a study involves, including any potential risks or discomforts. Here are some common questions you can ask the research team before deciding to take part in a research study:

  • What is the research about and why is it being done?
  • Why am I being asked to participate?
  • How long will the study last?
  • What exactly will happen to me in the research?
  • What kinds of procedures or exams will I have to take while I’m in the study?
  • How often does the study require me to go to the doctor, laboratory, or clinic?
  • Will the research help me?
  • Will there be any risks or side effects?
  • Will it cost me anything to participate?
  • Will I be given the results of any tests or procedures?
  • How are my privacy and data being protected?
  • Who will have access to my health information?
  • What will happen at the end of the study?
▼   Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are an important part of what we do at the University of South Alabama and USA Health. The Clinical Trials Office (CTO) is a USA Health system-wide office established to support clinical studies, including industry-sponsored, investigator-initiated, and federally funded trials. To learn more, please visit Clinical Trials at USA Health.
▼   National Cancer Institute Research
The University of South Alabama Health System participates in multiple clinical research studies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Visit NCI’s Research Participation Website to learn more about participating in cancer research.
▼   Find Available Research Studies

ResearchMatch – ResearchMatch is a nonprofit program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It helps connect people interested in research studies with researchers from top medical centers across the U.S.

ClinicalTrials.gov – ClinicalTrials.gov is an online database of privately and publicly funded clinical research studies and information about their results.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Trials – Search for NCI-funded clinical trials.

 

Have questions about your rights as a participant?

Contact the USA IRB: irb@southalabama.edu

 
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