About Research Participation

Resources for the public to learn about participating in research and making informed decisions.

Welcome! The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) works to protect the rights, welfare, and wellbeing of volunteers who participate in research supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). One way to further this mission is to provide the public with basic information about research and research participation, so potential volunteers can make informed decisions about participating in research.

Learning about research participation can be challenging. OHRP developed and compiled these resources to help you make the best decisions for you and your loved ones. They answer some common questions and suggest other questions you may want to ask if you are considering participating in research. These materials also may be used by research staff to facilitate and improve the informed consent process.

Check out the links below to watch informational videos, view a list of questions to ask researchers, and find additional resources related to research participation.

These materials are intended for public use and distribution, and we invite you to use and share them freely.

We welcome institutions and companies to link to our About Research Participation (ARP) resources on their websites. Institutions must post links in a such a manner that the audience does not mistake the linking to ARP resources as an endorsement of the institution or company, including its activities, products, services, or facilities, by OHRP, HHS, or the United States Government.