Information for Study Participants
As a Catholic institution, the mission of the University of St. Thomas obligates members of the college community to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. The research community can support the University mission by striving to ensure the respect and welfare of every research participant.
This page serves to ensure study participants know their rights, especially in regards to privacy, confidentiality and informed consent, and what to do should they have any questions or concern.
Contact Us
Sarah Muenster-Blakley, M.A., CIP
Director
Institutional Review Board
(651) 962-6035
muen0526@stthomas.edu
Participating in Social & Behavioral Health Research
Learn more about social and behavioral research while deciding whether to participate in research.
Your Rights
As a study participant, you have the right to know:
- Why the research is being conducted;
- What you will be asked to do as a research participant;
- What types of questions you will be asked during study participation;
- What risks are associated with the research study and what safeguards are in place to minimize any risks;
- What benefits there are to study participation, including whether you will be compensated for your participation (financially or otherwise);
- What will happen with any data collected about you during the study;
- How your personal information will be kept confidential;
- Who will have access to research data, including confidential information;
- Who you can contact with concerns about the research study you are participating in.
As a study participant, you have the right to:
- Decide whether or not to participate in a research study;
- Sufficient time to review and fully understand the consent form;
- Be presented with a consent form written in language you understand;
- Ask questions at any time;
- Drop out of a study without penalty at any time;
- Keep a copy of the consent form for your records (recommended);
- Submit complaints or direct concerns to the IRB office if you feel you were treated unfairly or have any concerns about your participation.
FAQs
Study participants are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the principal investigator of the research study. However, if study participants do not feel comfortable communicating with the principal investigators directly, concerns may be brought to the attention of Sarah Muenster-Blakley, Director of the Institutional Review Board, at muen0526@stthomas.edu or (651)-962-6035.
All human subjects research studies sponsored by the University of St. Thomas are reviewed, approved, and monitored by the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).
The link below will direct to the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) page containing informational videos, infographics, a list of questions to ask researchers, and additional resources for individuals considering participating in research.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Study participants have the right to know how their data will be kept confidential and secure. Researchers include information about privacy, confidentiality, and how research data will be secured in the consent form.
Participant rights to privacy and confidentiality:
Privacy is the participant's right to choose the date, time, and location of their study visit and what to share with the researcher. Participants have the right to refuse to share any information they don't want to provide.
Confidentiality is the responsibility of the researcher to keep participant information private and secure once it has been collected for research. Access to participant information is limited to the research team.
The University of St. Thomas Institutional Review Board (IRB) has strict data security requirements that researchers must follow to help keep participant data safe.
Informed consent
Informed consent is the process of giving participants information about a study so they can make an informed decision to participate or not. Information about the research study and what participants can expect if you decide to be a part of a research study must be provided in a consent document and discussed in a conversation between the participant and researcher. In survey research, the informed consent is provided on the first page of the survey.
Participants must be given the following information:
- A description of the research study and why it is important;
- The expectations of participation, such as time commitment, location, and what you'll be asked to do;
- An explanation of all risks which may occur;
- How the research team will keep information private, confidential, and secure;
- Whether the researchers will ask you to be recorded in any way; and
- Information about how you can withdraw from the study if you no longer wish to participate.
Who should I contact if I don't receive consent information?
If you feel you were not informed about the study prior to participation, had questions that were not answered, or did not receive a consent form, please email or call the IRB office at muen0526@stthomas.edu or (651) 962-6035.