Informed Consent for Minors
For projects involving minors, researchers must obtain parental consent as well as the assent of the research subjects. Informed consent forms for parents should be titled “Parental Permission Form” and contain all of the elements of the sample consent form provided with the IRB application, but be written in language appropriate for parents granting permission for their child’s involvement (rather than as though they themselves will be participating). Consent forms for minors should be titled “Assent Form” and contain all of the elements of the sample consent form provided with the IRB application, but expressed in language that would be understood by persons of the age group participating in the project. Because children do not have the legal right to give official consent, the forms should not contain a signature line because it may convey a false impression about their rights. Rather, we ask that assent forms contain a box for subjects to check if they agree to participate and a line for them to write their name and date.
