Protocol for Sample Parental/Guardian Informed Consent

Form for Cal Poly Research for Minor Child or Dependent1

 

INFORMED CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN (name of research project)

 

            A research project on  (topic)  is being conducted by  (name[s] of researcher[s])  in the Department of  (department name)   at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (or list other affiliation if the researcher[s] are not students or employees of Cal Poly).  The purpose of the study is  (a concise description of the objective[s] of the research).

 

            Your child/children  is/are being asked to take part in this study by (describe the activities/events/procedures involved in the subject’s participation, providing details of any physiological or experimental procedures if applicable).  Their participation will take approximately  (indicate how much time the study is expected to take and the scheduling of sessions if the study takes place on more than one occasion).  Please be aware that they are not required to participate in this research2 and you or they may discontinue their participation at any time without penalty (add “or loss of benefits”, if applicable).

 

            The possible risks associated with participation in this study include (state all reasonably anticipated  minor or significant physical, psychological, social, or economic risks as described in Specific Ethical Criterion #1 in the Policy for the Use of Human Subjects in Research).  If your child/children should experience  (indicate the possible negative outcomes of the research such as emotional distress or strained muscles), please be aware that you or they may contact  (an appropriate referral source such as the campus Psychological Services, Health Center, or the researcher)  at  (note the phone number and location of the referral source[s]) for assistance.3,4

 

            Your child’s/childrens’ anonymity/confidentiality will be protected (describe the manner in which anonymity/confidentiality will be safeguarded, including an instruction for participants  to not write their names on written materials, if applicable.  If anonymity or confidentiality will not be protected, this must be stated explicitly, along with an appropriate rationale). 5  Potential benefits associated with the study include (describe any anticipated benefits to the individual participants as well as any benefits to others and/or to the understanding of an area of investigation).

 

            If you or your child/children have questions regarding this study or would like to be informed of the results when the study is completed, please feel free to contact  (name of the researcher[s] and/or the student researcher’s faculty advisor)  at  (phone number of the researcher or, in the case of a student researcher, the  office phone number of the student’s faculty advisor).  If you or your child/children have questions or concerns regarding the manner in which the study is conducted, you may contact Dr. Steve Davis, Chair of the Cal Poly Human Subjects Committee, at 756-2754, sdavis@calpoly.edu, or Dr. Susan Opava, Dean of Research and Graduate Programs, at 756-1508, sopava@calpoly.edu.

 

            If you agree to allow your child/children/dependent to voluntarily participate in this research project as described, please indicate your agreement by signing below (or, in cases in which a signature is not needed6 you may substitute “by having your child/children/dependent complete the attached questionnaire”).  Please keep one copy of this form for your reference, and thank you for your participation in this research.

 

Name of Child/Names of Children/Dependents Involved in this Research

 

______________________________________________________

 

______________________________________________________

 

______________________________________________________

 

 

 

______________________________________________   __________________________

         Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian7                                       Date

 

 

______________________________________________   __________________________

                       Signature of Researcher                                                Date

 

 

1This serves as an example only; other formats or wordings may be appropriate, provided they include the necessary informed consent content listed in the Guidelines for Describing Your Human Subjects Research Protocol and discussed in the Policy for the Use of Human Subjects in Research.  Regardless of the format, keep in mind that the consent information must be presented in language that can reasonably be expected to be clear and understandable to the prospective subjects or the prospective subjects’ legally authorized representatives.

 

2If the study involves completion of self-report measures such as questionnaires and surveys, add the phrase “you may omit any items you prefer not to answer.”

 

3If your study involves greater than minimal risk, you should include more detailed information about possible recourse if harm is experienced due to participation in the study.  For clarification of minimal risk, see the Policy for the Use of Human Subjects in Research.

 

4 If the study involves testing a treatment of a physical or mental health problem, the subjects should also be informed of any alternative treatments (other than that which they may receive in the study) that could benefit them in treating this problem.

 

5If a questionnaire or survey will be anonymous (i.e., there will be no method by which even the researcher[s] may determine the data associated with specific individuals) rather than confidential, substitute a sentence such as, “Your responses will be provided anonymously to protect your privacy.”

 

6For clarification of such instances, see the Guidelines for Describing Your Human Subjects Research Protocol and the Policy for the Use of Human Subjects in Research.

 

7In the event that volunteer subject is a minor (<18 years of age in the State of California), or is otherwise unable to give consent for their participation, the signature should be that of the parent or guardian.  In addition, the minor subject's assent  must also be obtained.