Who is Responsible for Protecting Research Participants?

Protecting research participants is a responsibility shared by different groups, including:

OHRP

Responsible for the rules that protect volunteers in HHS funded research

Funding Organizations

Ensure that human research is conducted ethically and complies with appropriate rules and standards of protections

Research Institutions

Agree to comply with the rules and educate research personnel about appropriate conduct toward research volunteers

IRBs

Review and oversee research to ensure that research volunteers are adequately protected according to ethical standards and relevant rules

Researchers

Carry out scientifically valid and ethical research. Often this includes providing information to help people make an informed decision about participating

Individuals

Learn about the risks and benefits associated with a research study through the informed consent process, and make an informed decision about whether to participate

Talk to the research team for questions about a research study. OHRP has created a list of Questions to Ask to help participants when meeting with the research team. The institution’s human research protection office and its IRB will address participants’ concerns for the studies it conducts. Find their contact information in the study consent document.