Research Participant Rights

Every research participant has the following rights:

• To be treated with respect, including respect for your decision whether or not you wish to enroll in, continue in, or stop being in a study.
• To choose to stop being in a study at any time.
• To be given time to read the consent form and have the study explained to you.
• To be given time to ask questions, and to be told whom you can contact if you have any more questions.
• To be given a copy of the consent form after you have signed it.

Questions that you should ask before you agree to participate in a research study:

• Why is the research being done?
• What will be done to me as part of the research?
• How will I benefit from the research?
• Could the research hurt me?
• What will the researcher do with my information?
• Will the research cost me anything?
• Who pays if I am unexpectedly injured in the study?
• How long will the study last?
• What happens if I decide to leave the study early?

Reporting Concerns:

Concerns and complaints are taken very seriously. If you have questions about your participation in a research study, we encourage you to first contact the Principal Investigator (PI) or another member of the study team using the phone number or email provided on your consent form or information sheet.

If you are not satisfied with the response, do not receive a reply within a reasonable amount of time, or prefer not to discuss your concern with the investigator or study team, you may contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

The IRB is a committee of scientists, clinicians, and community members who review research studies before they begin to ensure they are well‑designed, minimize unnecessary risks, and prioritize the safety and rights of research participants.

You may report a concern or complaint to the IRB by calling 701-231-8908 or emailing ndsu.irb@ndsu.edu.

When contacting the IRB office, please try to have your consent form or study information available. To better assist you, you will be asked to help identify the study in question by providing the title or principal investigator.