Research Participants
Whether you are considering becoming a volunteer for research, or are a current or past volunteer, we hope we may provide you with answers to any questions that you may have.
What is an Institutional Review Board (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.
Become 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?
If you feel like you have been treated poorly as a participant of research, please contact the IRB Post Approval Monitoring Officer, (304) 461-3494. When you call, your comments may be completely anonymous, if you wish. Even if you do identify yourself, please be assured that your complaint will be addressed to the researchers; however, your identity will never be disclosed if that is your preference.