Sample Informed Consent Form For Qualitative Studies (Page 6 of 8) in pdf

The following applies to focus groups:

Focus groups provide a particular challenge to confidentiality because once something is said in the

group it becomes common knowledge. Explain to the participant that you will encourage group

participants to respect confidentiality, but that you cannot guarantee it.

(Example: We will ask you and others in the group not to talk to people outside the group about what

was said in the group. We will, in other words, ask each of you to keep what was said in the group

confidential. You should know, however, that we cannot stop or prevent participants who were in the

group from sharing things that should be confidential.)

 Example of question to elucidate understanding: Did you understand the

procedures that we will be using to make sure that any information that we as

researchers collect about you will remain confidential? Do you understand that we

cannot guarantee complete confidentiality of information that you share with us in

a group discussion Do you have any more questions?

Sharing the Results

Your plan for sharing the findings with the participants should be provided. If you have a plan and a

timeline for the sharing of information, include the details. You may also inform the participant that the

research findings will be shared more broadly, for example, through publications and conferences.

(Example: Nothing that you tell us today will be shared with anybody outside the research team, and

nothing will be attributed to you by name. The knowledge that we get from this research will be shared

with you and your community before it is made widely available to the public. Each participant will

receive a summary of the results. There will also be small meetings in the community and these will be

announced. Following the meetings, we will publish the results so that other interested people may learn

from the research.)

Right to Refuse or Withdraw

This is a reconfirmation that participation is voluntary and includes the right to withdraw. Tailor this

section to ensure that it fits for the group for whom you are seeking consent. The example used here is

for a community social worker. Participants should have an opportunity to review their remarks in

individual interviews and erase part or all of the recording or note.

(Example: You do not have to take part in this research if you do not wish to do so, and choosing to

participate will not affect your job or job-related evaluations in any way. You may stop participating in

the [discussion/interview] at any time that you wish without your job being affected. I will give you an

opportunity at the end of the interview/discussion to review your remarks, and you can ask to modify or

remove portions of those, if you do not agree with my notes or if I did not understand you correctly.)

Who to Contact

Provide the name and contact information of someone who is involved, informed and accessible - a local

person who can actually be contacted. State also the name (and contact details) of the local IRB that has

approved the proposal. State also that the proposal has also been approved by the WHO ERC.

(Example: If you have any questions, you can ask them now or later. If you wish to ask questions later,

you may contact any of the following: [name, address/telephone number/e-mail]

This proposal has been reviewed and approved by [name of the local IRB], which is a committee whose

task it is to make sure that research participants are protected from harm. If you wish to find about more

about the IRB, contact _____ .)

This proposal has been reviewed and approved by [name of the local IRB], which is a

committee whose task it is to make sure that research participants are protected from

harm. If you wish to find about more about the IRB, contact [name, address,

telephone number.]). It has also been reviewed by the Ethics Review Committee of

the World Health Organization (WHO), which is funding/sponsoring/supporting the

study.

Page 6 of 8

Sample Informed Consent Form For Qualitative Studies Page 6

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