Participants’ Bill of Rights

Research programmes at The Human Initiative are heavily focused on human participants (sometimes referred to as “subjects” or “crew”). We believe that personal concern for every participant is indispensable to the quest for knowledge. The most important person in research is the participant. The participant is the essential element without which research could not be conducted or response to intervention measured.

When you take part in a research programme with The Human Initiative, you are assured of the following rights:

• You have the right to considerate and respectful treatment; before, during, and after your participation ends. 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.
  
  

• If at any time you wish to withdraw from a research study you have the right to do so. If you have received medical intervention during your participation you have the right to be informed of the medical consequences of your withdrawal.

• As a participant, you may have questions even after you have given your consent. Please do not hesitate to discuss these questions with the study coordinator or research personnel. It is important for you to understand exactly what the study is about and why.
  
  

• You are entitled to receive a copy of any consent forms that you signed.
  
  

• It is important that you be aware of any risks from your participation and understand how the research may affect you.
  
  

• It is important for you to know about any benefits that you might receive from your participation.
  
  

• 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 who to contact with questions about the research, about research-related injury, and about your rights as a research participant and to be given information regarding available treatment should you have a research-related injury.
  
  

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding participation in our research, you may contact us at programmes@thehumaninitiative.org.