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Research Participants
Institutional Review Board for Research Involving Human Subjects
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Research Participants - Welcome!
Whether you are considering becoming a volunteer for research, or a current or past volunteer, we hope we may provide you with answers to any questions you may have.
What is an IRB?
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee, or board, of volunteers including scientists, non-scientists, community members, and health care professionals that ensures research protocols involving human subjects are ethical and that the rights of participants are protected.
BECOMING A RESEARCH VOLUNTEER: IT’S YOUR DECISION
What Is Research?
- Research is a study that is done to answer a question.
- Scientists do research because they don’t know for sure what works best to help you.
- Some other words that describe research are clinical trial, protocol, survey, or experiment.
- Research is not the same as treatment.
Why Is Research Important?
Research has led to important discoveries that make our lives better.
Some examples are:
- New drugs to treat cancer, diabetes, and other diseases
- Ultrasound, X-ray machines, and diagnostic tests
- Vaccines
- Ways to stop smoking
- Improved medical procedures
Points to Consider
- A research study may or may not help you personally.
- In the future, the results could help others who have a health problem.
- Taking part in research is voluntary.
Questions to Ask
- What exactly will happen to me in the research?
- Will there be any unpleasant side effects?
- Will the research help me personally?
- What other options do I have?
- Can I leave the study at any time?
- Will it cost me anything personally?
MSU IRB Tutorial
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