UT Research Participant Rights

The UT Human Research Protection Program is responsible under federal law for ensuring the protection of the rights, welfare, and well-being of participants involved in research studies conducted by UT faculty, staff, and students. The HRPP and Institutional Review Board carefully review and monitor research to ensure that it is carried out legally and ethically.

If you choose to participate in a UT research study, you have the following rights:

• You have the right to considerate and respectful treatment before, during, and after your participation. As part of that respect, you have a right to know what the study is about and what you will be asked to do during your participation in the study.
• You have the right to know all your options so you can freely choose whether to participate in the research study.
• You have the right to withdraw from the research study if you wish to do so at any time. If you have received medical intervention during your participation, you have the right to be informed of the medical consequences of your withdrawal.
• You have the right to ask questions even after you have given your consent. Please do not hesitate to discuss any questions with the principal investigator or research personnel. It is important for you to understand exactly what the study is about and why.
• You have the right to receive a copy of the consent form you sign. Ask for this when you sign the consent form.
• You have the right to know about any risks from your participation and to understand how the research may affect you.
• You have the right to know about any benefits you might receive from your participation.
• You have the right to know whether there are alternatives to therapeutically designed research protocols.
• You have the right to refuse to participate in research.
• You have the right to privacy concerning the information that is obtained for research purposes.
• You have the right to be told whether there are any costs associated with your participation and whether you will be compensated for participating in the study.
• You have the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to the research will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
• You have the right to be told whom to contact with questions about the research, about your rights as a research participant, and about research-related injury, and to be given information regarding available treatment should you have a research-related injury.

Learn what questions to ask before agreeing to participate in research