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IRB Handbook

Appendix D

Informed Consent Form Template

 

See the lounge for a word doc version of this template.

Your chair will assist you in determining what information should appear in your letter. When in doubt, contact the IRB: IRB@Aspen.edu and cc your chair on all communication.

 

Instructions: This template includes the basic areas required in an informed consent form. As each consent form must be tailored to the specific project/research, you will see blue font throughout the template. Type in the information specific to your project/study where you see the blue font. When you see project/study, or project/research choose “project” if you are working on a doctoral project and “study” or “research” if you are working on a dissertation. When you have created your consent form, change all font color to black and delete this page.

 

Important notes:

  • Complete your CITI Training prior to drafting your Informed Consent Form as this training includes information that will assist you. This video provides details related to CITI Training.
  • Pay close attention to detail including spelling/grammar as this document represents you, your committee, and Aspen University. Use a spell and grammar checker.
  • This form should be written in layman’s terms, below the 9th grade reading level (for example an 8.9 is sufficient). Avoid unnecessary scientific terms or jargon. Evaluate the readability using The Flesch Grade Level Readability Formula.
  • Missing or incomplete information, spelling/grammar errors, and inappropriate readability will require revisions at the IRB approval stage, so please take care when creating this document and ensure your entire committee has read and approves of the document (a great place to ensure this unanimous approval is to directly ask for it during your proposal oral defense).

 

Note: If your project or study involves interacting directly with minors outside established or commonly accepted educational settings you will need both parental consent and minor assent forms, and your project/study will require a full board review. Please contact the IRB for guidance.