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 and are treated with the utmost respect and all possible confidentiality.  If you have questions about your participation in a research study, we encourage you to first contact the Principal Investigator (PI) or other study team member listed at the phone number/email on your consent form or information sheet. 

If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome, are unable to receive a response after an appropriate amount of time, or have a concern about your participation that you do not wish to discuss with the PI or study team member, you can contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB).  The IRB is a group of scientists, clinicians and lay persons who review each research study before it starts to ensure that the study is well-designed, does not involve unnecessary risks, and ensures the safety of research participants.

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

If you contact the IRB office, please try to have your consent form or study information available because you may be asked to provide information about the specific study in question.