Human Subject Participant Page
Study participants are an integral piece of all successful human subject research and The University of Texas at Austin recognizes the importance of your decision whether or not to participate in a research study. Your participation is voluntary and you may choose not to participate or to discontinue participation at any time. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with The University of Texas at Austin. We hope this website will answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your interest in our research.
Our Participants
Generally, students, staff and faculty across campus, and members of the surrounding Austin and Central Texas community may be asked at one time or another to participate in research currently taking place at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, our research includes both national and international participants. Frequently, participation requires filling out a survey, responding to service or opinion questionnaires, or being interviewed. Typically, participants respond in person, by phone, email or regular mail. Some of the research involves kinesthetic, physiological, or psychological experiments. The level of risk involved in a study depends upon its design, methodology, subject matter, and intervention or interaction with human subjects. It is important to consider the level of risk and compare it to any benefits when deciding whether or not to participate in human subjects research.
The researcher conducting the study should provide you with answers to specific questions about the study. You may contact the researcher with questions at any time before, during or after the study. If you would like to obtain information about a research study, or if you have questions, concerns, complaints or wish to discuss problems or your rights as a research subject with someone unaffiliated with the study, please contact the IRB Office at (512) 471-8871. Anonymity, if desired, will be protected to the extent possible. As an alternative method of contact, an email may be sent to orsc@uts.cc.utexas.edu or a letter sent to IRB Administrator, P.O. Box 7426, Mail Code A3200, Austin, TX 78713.
Additional contact information is available on our contacts page.
The resources and information listed below are to assist potential research participants.
Community Contacts: a listing of research contacts used by the UT community
Participant Bill of Rights - Ever wonder what your rights are as a research participant? Look no further! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Research Involving Children - Questions and Answers for parents.
Subject Pool Participants - Information for potential subject pool students
PI Responsibilities - Help protect oneself by knowing researchers' obligations
Questions for Participants to ask - Not sure which way is left? We'll help point you in the right direction
Subject Responsibilities - So what am I responsible for?
Downloadable UT Participants Brochure (English)
Downloadable UT Participants Brochure (Spanish)
“Becoming a Research Volunteer: It’s your decision” created by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Downloadable OHRP Brochure (English)
Downloadable OHRP Brochure (Spanish)
“Questions to ask before participating in a research study” created by the Office for Human Research Protections, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Other Resources
Information about Clinical Trials
Links for Kids:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForKids/default.htm