In fulfillment of the terms of NDSU's (Federalwide Assurance) with the DHHS Office of Human Research Protections, the IRB must prospectively review human subjects research to ensure that the rights, safety and welfare of participants will be protected. Specifically, participants should have the right to:

• be told everything they need to know about the research before being asked to participate,
• freely choose whether or not to participate in a research project,
• be aware of any available alternatives,
• be free to quit participating at any time,
• to have their privacy and confidentiality of their information respected,
• know that their safety and welfare come first,
• keep all the legal rights they already have,
• ask questions or voice concerns to the investigator or the IRB.

These rights are extended to participants of all NDSU human research projects, including those eligible under one of the exemption categories. Through the protocol review process, the IRB obtains the necessary information to verify that the project will be conducted so that participants are afforded these rights.

By reviewing all materials that will be shown to participants (e.g. recruitment messages, invitations, and consent forms), the IRB is able to verify that participants will be fully informed of the nature of the research, what is being asked of them, as well as any potential risks and benefits.