Research Study Participation – FAQ
Looking for information on Clinical Trials? See What Parents Should Know About Clinical Trials
Thinking of being in a study?
Here are some things to know.
A research study, sometimes also called a clinical trial or research experiment, is a way for scientists and other researchers to find out information about a particular topic or to answer a specific question.
All research studies are lead by a Principal Investigator (PI). The PI is responsible for the overall management of the research study. If the research study involves human subjects, then the PI is also responsible for assuring the safety of the subjects. PIs are often faculty, physicians, or graduate students.
Principal Investigators often rely on a research team to assist them in the day-to-day operation of their studies. The research team can be made up of research assistants, research nurses, data coordinators, statisticians, and other people with specialized skills needed for the study.
At the University of Michigan every study that involves human subjects is reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before it is allowed to begin. IRBs consider the risks to the subjects, the anticipated benefits to the subjects and/or others, the importance of the knowledge that may be gained, the recruitment procedures, and the informed consent process that will be used.
An IRB is a committee of scientists and nonscientists who review projects submitted by researchers at the University. Each IRB must also have at least one member who represents the community and is not affiliated with the University.
Most research studies have certain criteria that you must meet in order to participate. These criteria are designed to ensure the safety of the subjects as well as to ensure the usefulness of the research. Some studies have very broad criteria; for example, you must be over 18. Other studies have much more strict criteria for participating; for example, you must have a certain disease.
Research studies can involve a wide variety of procedures, ranging from filling out surveys and questionnaires to taking experimental medicines or using experimental devices. Some research studies last only a few minutes, while others last for several years. The research team will describe to you all of the procedures that you will be asked to undergo before you agree to be in the study.
Children, pregnant women, prisoners, and persons with cognitive impairments can all be participants in research studies, but are considered potentially “vulnerable populations.” The US government and the University of Michigan have put in place special rules to protect participants who fall into one of these groups.
The University of Michigan advertises research studies in many ways, such as local newspapers, radio, and postings on bulletin boards. If you are interested in medical research about a specific disease or condition, you can also speak with your doctor or therapist about research studies for which you might qualify.
Also, the University has websites where information to help the public learn about research studies and being a research subject.
Not everyone who participates in a research study will benefit personally. Sometimes, your participation in the research study will be of benefit to humanity by helping researchers to learn more about a certain disease or condition. In some studies, however, you may benefit if the experimental drug or procedure makes your disease stop progressing or lessens its effects on you.
Research studies may involve some degree of risk. A study that asks you to fill out a survey has only minor risks, such as answering questions that make you uneasy. For other studies, such as studies that ask you to take an experimental drug, the risks can be much greater; for example, having a bad reaction to the drug. The research team is required to explain to you the foreseeable risks of being in the study before you decide whether or not to be in the study.
Related Information
Questions?
See U-M IRB Contacts for links to the IRB web sites and contact information.
Additional information about human subject protections can be found on the HRPP site.