Marietta College Human Subjects Committee
Informed Consent Guidelines

No investigator may involve a human being as a subject in research unless the investigator has obtained the informed consent of the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative, or unless the investigator has been granted permission from the HSC to omit informed consent. If minors are subjects in the research, both parental consent and the minorÍs assent are required, when in the judgment of the HSC the children are capable of providing assent. In determining whether children are capable of assenting, the HSC will take into account the ages, maturity, and psychological state of the children involved.

In all cases where an informed consent form is provided, a copy must be offered to each research participant.

Informed Consent Form Checklist

  1. A title for the document (i.e., ñInformed Consent Formî) and a title for the study, along with name(s) and contact information for investigator(s) and faculty advisors (for student projects)
  2. A statement that the study involves research, an explanation of the purpose(s) of the research, and a statement that the research study has been approved by the Marietta College Human Subjects Committee
  3. Information about the expected duration of the subjectÍs participation
  4. A description of the procedures to be followed, and, where appropriate, identification of any procedures which are experimental
  5. A description of any reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject
  6. A description of any benefits to the subject or to others which may reasonably be expected from the research (including course credit and/or monetary compensation)
  7. A disclosure of appropriate alternative procedures or courses of treatment, if any, that might be advantageous to the subject (when appropriate)
  8. A statement describing the extent to which confidentiality of records identifying the subject will be maintained, and that all data will be used for research purposes only
  9. For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether any compensation and/or medical treatments would be available if injury occurs and, if so, what they consist of, or where further information may be obtained (where appropriate)
  10. A statement that participation is voluntary, refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits or compensation to which the subject is otherwise entitled (including course credit), and the subject may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled
  11. Information about whom to contact for answers to questions or concerns about research subjects' rights: Dr. Jennifer McCabe, Marietta College Human Subjects Committee Chair, 740-373-7894, Jennifer.McCabe@marietta.edu
  12. Space in which the subject will print and sign name, and write the date