Online Informed Consent: A New Direction for Educational Research

• In Event: Advances in Research Methodology

Abstract

In this paper, we argue the need for online informed consent as well as the viability of a comprehensive online informed consent management system. We posit that online informed consent is equivalent in functionality to traditional paper-based informed consent, but with several advantages. Moving the informed consent process online has the potential to (a) increase the efficiency of the informed consent process while substantially reducing costs, (b) increase the rate of consent among research participants, (c) provide a more effective and engaging means of educating research participants prior to consent, and (d) empower the research participant to actively manage their consent acknowledgement, status, and revocation.

Authors

• Lesley F. Leach, Tarleton State University

• Kevin E. Kalinowski, UNT Health Science Center