Guidelines for Research Advertising Content

The IRB must review and approve all advertisements that will be used to recruit subjects to a specific research study. Generally, advertisements used to recruit research subjects should be limited to information that a potential subject would need to determine if they are eligible and interested in participating.

The ads should include information such as:

• the name and address of the research facility;
  
• the condition or disease that will be the focus of the research;
  
• the purpose of the research with reference to the fact that the study is investigational;
  
• a summary of criteria for eligibility to participate;
  
• the time and other commitments that will be required of the subject; and
  
• the location of the study and the office to contact for further information.

Ads may state that reimbursement for time, travel, etc. will be given.

The ads should not:

• contain explicit or implicit claims of safety and efficacy or equivalency or superiority to other approved treatments
  
• emphasize the amount of reimbursement that subjects will receive.
• promise a favorable outcome or benefits
  

When the advertisements conform to the above guidelines, they may be approved for any advertising format, e.g., posted flyers, newspapers, internet advertisements, radio/television, slides shown prior to films at movie theaters. To avoid multiple requests for review and approval, investigators should specify in their original request all advertising formats that are anticipated.