Informed Consent

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Informed Consent:

All participants in a research study need to be informed (as much as reasonable) about the goals, and methods of the study as well as potential problems. Consent is required to participate either by a eighteen or older adult or by parent or guardian. The opportunity to decline to participate without any negative consequences is necessary.

Keep in mind, you do not need to get permission for your students to engage in any learning activities (including tests, projects etc). You only need their permission to use their data for research (as opposed to grading) and to engage in activities that are not part of the class such as interviews or attitude surveys.

In some cases you want to have separate informed consent documents for students who will be audio or videotaped. These things tend to be red flags for some parents so if you put it on every form you risk more students decline to participate.

Here are some sample informed consent documents that you can use to start your own:

Here is the minimum you need to put in your informed consent:

  • What is the study about? (generally)
  • What is expected of the student? (Will they take tests, give interviews)
  • What are the Advantages of being involved?
  • Will data be anonymous or identified?
  • The consequences of consent.
  • Contact information for the person doing the research/study and for where it will be used/published.
  • Detailed information regarding what will be done with the information after it has been compiled into the study/research paper. Will it be shredded? Destroyed? Archived?


Your Informed Consent letter must be approved before you send it out.

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