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.
Learn more about the Virginia Tech IRB
Where to Address Your Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about research being conducted at or by Virginia Tech, please contact David M. Moore, IRB Chair, at (540) 231-4991 or moored@vt.edu.
If you feel like you have been treated poorly as a participant of research, please contact the IRB Post Approval Monitoring Officer, Louisa Gay, at lgay@vt.edu or (540) 231-7678. When you call, your comments may be completely anonymous, if you wish. Even if you do identify yourself to Louisa, please be assured that your complaint will be addressed to the researchers; however, your identity will never be disclosed if that is your preference.
Use our online survey to send us your complaint or concern over the Internet.
BECOMING A RESEARCH PARTICIPANT
The above link will address such topics as:
- What is research?
- Why is research important?
- Questions to ask
(En Espanol)
Additional Information for:
Parents & Guardians
Providing Permission
For most research projects involving children, the parent or guardian of the child will be asked to provide permission for the child to participate. For you to make this decision, the researcher must provide you with detailed information about the research. This information typically comes in a written format called a Parental Permission Form. You will likely be asked to sign and date this form if you agree to your child's participation. Read this information carefully, in particular the risks of participation and the activities your child will be asked to do. Also, consider whether the data collected from your child is of a sensitive nature (for example, asking about illegal or sexual behavior). These types of questions may cause emotional distress to your child or your child's responses could be subpoenaed in court. Feel free to ask questions at any time and/or to decline your child's participation.
Your Child's Assent
If your child is able to understand the research study, your child will be asked if he or she is interested in participating. This is called "assent." Your child might also be asked to sign an Assent Form, if appropriate for his or her age and mental capacity. The information provided to your child must be explained in language he or she is able to understand. Encourage your child to ask questions and to make his or her own decision about participating.
If you agree to your child's participation yet your child declines, your child's wishes will be upheld unless participation is of direct benefit to him or her.
Treating You & Your Child with Respect
Under IRB regulations, the researcher may not coerce or force you to agree to your child's participation, or pressure or force your child to participate. If you feel you or your child have not been treated with respect, please feel free to contact the Virginia Tech IRB.
Disclosure of Abuse, Neglect, or Intent of Harm
Researchers are obligated by law to report to the appropriate authorities if there is an indication that a child is in danger. This includes probable child abuse and neglect as well as any indication that the child may have the intent to harm him/herself or others.
College Students
As a college student considering participating in a research project, the most important thing to keep in mind is that all research is completely voluntary. You should not be coerced into participating in the research, especially by your professors or faculty advisor.
Extra Credit
Teachers & School Administration
The most important thing to keep in mind is that all research is completely voluntary. Teachers should not be coerced into participating in the research by anyone - not even by their superintendent, principal, or supervisor, and especially not the researchers. Likewise, all others within the school must not be pressured into participating or accepting the reseearch into the school.
The Students
In addition, all of the children may opt out of research. They must be treated as free-thinking individuals and with respect. If you feel they are not being treated in such a manner by the researchers, please contact the IRB office.
School Approval
Before research is allowed in a school, the researcher must first obtain IRB and the school's approval. Typically, the school's superintendent provides or denies permission first. If he/she provides permission, the school's principal is contacted for approval. Finally, the teachers provide individual permission for their classroom.
