Information For Research Participants

Study participants are an integral piece of all successful human subjects research and The University of Texas at Austin recognizes the importance of your decision whether or not to participate in a research study. Your participation is voluntary and you may choose not to participate or to discontinue participation at any time. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with The University of Texas at Austin. We hope this website will answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your interest in our research.

Our Participants

Generally, students, staff and faculty across campus, and members of the surrounding Austin and Central Texas community may be asked at one time or another to participate in research currently taking place at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, our research includes both national and international participants. Frequently, participation requires filling out a survey, responding to service or opinion questionnaires, or being interviewed. Typically, participants respond in person, by phone, email or regular mail. Some of the research involves kinesthetic, physiological, or psychological experiments. The level of risk involved in a study depends upon its design, methodology, subject matter, and intervention or interaction with human subjects. It is important to consider the level of risk and compare it to any benefits when deciding whether or not to participate in human subjects research.

The researcher conducting the study should provide you with answers to specific questions about the study. You may contact the researcher with questions at any time before, during or after the study. If you would like to obtain information about a research study, or if you have questions, concerns, complaints or wish to discuss problems or your rights as a research subject with someone unaffiliated with the study, contact the IRB Office at 512-471-8871. Anonymity, if desired, will be protected to the extent possible. As an alternative method of contact, an email may be sent to orsc@uts.cc.utexas.edu or a letter sent to IRB Administrator, P.O. Box 7426, Mail Code A3200, Austin, TX 78713.

Additional contact information is available on our contacts page.

TitleDescriptionType
About Research ParticipationInformation about research and research participation provided by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesWEB
Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently asked questions and answers for human subjects participants.WEB
Community ContactsA listing of research contacts used by the UT community.WEB
Participant Bill of RightsEver wonder what your rights are as a research participant? Look no further! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!WEB
Research Involving ChildrenQuestions and answers for parents.WEB
Subject Pool ParticipantsInformation for potential subject pool students.WEB
Principal Investigator ResponsibilitiesHelp protect oneself by knowing researchers’ obligations.WEB
Questions for Participants to AskNot sure which way is left? We’ll help point you in the right direction.WEB
Subject ResponsibilitiesSo what am I responsible for?WEB
UT Participants Brochure (English Version)Brochure for human subjects participants.PDF
UT Participants Brochure (Spanish Version)Brochure for human subjects participants.PDF
Brochure: Should I Take Part in ResearchThings you should know before taking part in a research study.PDF
Becoming a Research Volunteer: It’s your decision (English Version)Brochure created by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.PDF
Becoming a Research Volunteer: It’s your decision (Spanish Version)Brochure created by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.PDF
Questions to Ask Before Participating in a Research StudyInformation provided by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesWEB
For Research ParticipantsInformation provided by Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP).WEB
Information about Clinical TrialsClinical trials information for patients and caregivers published by National Cancer Institute.WEB
UT Health CenterUT's health servicesWEB

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