Be the Breakthrough

A research study is an organized activity to learn more about a problem or answer questions. Many different kinds of studies are conducted. For example, a study may test if a product, such as a drug or equipment, is safe and effective. A study may be done to find out what education practices work best. A study may use a survey or an interview to understand needs, problems or feelings people have about an important topic. A study may be done to determine the best way to treat or prevent an illness.

There are many reasons to take part in research. You may want to:

• Help scientists find out more about how the human body and mind work
• Help other people or honor a loved one
• Help find a cure for a specific illness

If you decide to participate in a research study, you do so as a volunteer. That means you decide whether or not you will take part. If you choose to do so, you have many important rights.

There may or may not be a direct benefit to you if you participate in a research study. If you’re managing a condition, you may get better as a result of your taking part in the study, you may stay the same, or you may even get worse. No one can predict the outcome of a research study or how it might affect you. The study may not help you personally, but your taking part may result in information that helps others in the future.

Sometimes research procedures may cause discomfort and side effects. The questions being asked could make you uncomfortable. The risks and side effects of the research may not be known completely when you start the study. The research staff will discuss with you known possible risks so you can decide if you want to volunteer. If you do volunteer, the research staff will tell you about any new risks that they learn about during the study for as long as you take part in the study.

The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) promotes research excellence by offering accreditation to organizations that commit to high standards for research ethics and safety. Our AAHRPP accreditation provides an added assurance of quality for research participants and partners. As an AAHRPP-accredited organization, we build protections for research participants into every study we conduct. In addition to complying with government regulations for research involving people, we go a step above and beyond by meeting all AAHRPP accreditation requirements, which are considered the worldwide gold standard.

We value research participants and put your well-being first. For more information, visit www.AAHRPP.org.

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a group of people such as scientists, non-scientists, and people from the local community who ensure that human research is ethical.

The IRB serves to protect your rights and your welfare before and during the research study. For example, the IRB makes sure that any risks in the research study are as small as possible. The IRB does not make a decision for you. The IRB decides, when approving research studies, that it is reasonable to ask people whether they want to be involved in it. The IRB also reviews each study while it is going on to make sure volunteers are protected.

Compensation may be available for participants who qualify, but this varies by study and can be confirmed with your study team.