Participants in some studies are compensated for their time or inconvenience. Such payment is not intended to encourage participation but rather to compensate for time spent doing activities related to the study, such as completing a series of exercises during a doctor visit, or inconvenience, such as being at a specific place at a specific time.

The risks of participating in a study always depend on the nature of the study itself. The IRB helps to ensure that risks are minimized in all studies, but it is very important that participants understand the risks and benefits associated with participating in any study. Both the risks and the benefits should be explained to you through the Informed Consent process before you begin to participate in the study. If you have a question about risks associated with a particular study, ask someone conducting the study or contact the Office of the IRB.

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You can ask anyone conducting the study a question at any time. If you signed an Informed Consent document, then it may include more specific information about whom to contact with questions about the study.

If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, or concerns or complaints about the research, you may contact the Office of the IRB (OIRB) at 205-934-3789 or toll free at 1-855-860-3789. Regular hours for the OIRB are 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday. You may also call this number in the event the research staff cannot be reached or you wish to talk to someone else.

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If you don't want to participate in a particular study, then don't. Regardless of why you might choose to not participate, it is against federal guidelines and University policy to offer preferential treatment to people who participate in studies or to discriminate against people who do not. If you feel that you are being pressured to participate in a study, please contact the UAB Office of the IRB (OIRB).

In some cases, students must participate in a certain number of research studies as part of their coursework. You should always have an alternative to participation. In these cases, students who have a question about their participation should contact the course instructor or department chair.

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If you have enrolled in a study and want or need to stop participating for any reason, you are free to do so. However, you should always notify the researchers if you decide to do so. If you are receiving a treatment as part of the study, it may be important to your safety. You can withdraw by telling the contact person on the Informed Consent document (if applicable). If you do not know the name of the contact person, you can contact the UAB Office of the IRB (OIRB) for information on how to withdraw from a particular study.

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In some studies, you may be responsible for the cost of drugs or devices used. The cost may be reimbursable from your insurance company, or it may not. Whether or not there are financial costs to you or your insurance agency should be explained to you during the informed consent process. If you have questions, ask the contact person for the study or contact the UAB Office of the IRB (OIRB). Send e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 205-934-3789, or 855-860-3789