Takingconsent is not an easy process as we are getting someone permission by usingtheir data, knowledge and experience to use in a research and at the same timewe need to maintain the integrity of the information we have so it would havenot leaked out to other stranger that might use it for wrong purposes. Theprocess is importance in any form of research either is in written or verbalinformed consent.
In the new world now days, almost everything we do require tohave informed consent. The purpose to ensure the participants well verse aboutcoming event that they are about to participate and confidentiality of theirinformation. In the other hand, it is also protecting the other company whichis the provider or researcher especially when there are medical issues beingraised. Whenit comes about taking the consent, the researcher should have explained indetail of the objectives and components of the research. The investigatorshould inform the future participants of all aspects of the research so thatthey are able to persuade the participants to willingly joining them in theresearch. The participants must aware the risk or benefit from the research andthey can ask any enquiries regarding the research that they are going to.
Anyenquires should be handle in full manner and professional way as to give a goodimpression on how serious they are (researcher) to get the participant’sattention to be a part of the research. Thereare a few issues that might disturb smoothness of the process taking theconsent. The common issue is language. Most of consent are written in Englishversion and there are in certain country, they will use their own nationallanguage to prepare the consent. For those who would like to participate in theresearch but unable to do so because they are not fully understanding theconcept and need extra hands to help them translating the consent form thusit’s become time consuming. Some of if due to their unwillingness despite astrong explanation has given to the respective participant. Another reasoncould be that they are afraid of chances being misuses of their data by theresearcher. If patient insist for not to be part of the research, just let themgo and do not create any force on them.
Participants do have right to refuse inany sort of treatment if they wanted too. Whenwe are taking the consent, it must ethically relevant always. Patient’s priorycomes first, and their own values is something that we must respect. There arecertain principles has been discussed related to this topic. The ethical principlesemphasized more on beneficence and do no harm to them. So, as for that thereare five ethical principles should be considered when carrying out a research.
Theprinciple number one is minimising the risk of harm to participants. The typeof harm can be subjective to such as physically, discomfort and distress or aninvasion to participant’s privacy. There is no reason why researcher wanted toput any harm to the participant’s, but it is something that we could considerthe risk of harm that we should try to be minimised. Theprinciple number two is obtaining informed consent which is the heart of theresearch.
Explanation and details of research need to be inform and wellunderstand by the participants. Participants must be voluntarily, no force norbeing lied to be involve in the research. This step should not be left out ortake for granted. Is this important to get the participants understand almost abouteverything related to the research. In the other hand, by making sure thatthese participants can deliver the information truthfully and we can get a properstructured research at the end.
Protectinganonymous and confidentiality is the third principle of research ethics. In research, these two components are important as we should take care the information givingby the participants. Confidentiality itself in research means that the datamust be protected but how far we could say and promise that data is being 100%protected and would not leak out. In research, the step of processing the datawill go through some level of analysis and this could make the date beenexposed to other people. Researcher must maintain the promises of keeping thedata right at the place and privacy is applied.
By making the participants anonymous, some how the researcher will unable to share the outcome of the research thatthey have participated. Probably, they need to come out some coding to identifythe participant and at the same time no one able to know about theparticipation. Theintegrity of informed consent will be ruined if the investigator is not beinghonest to the participants as they are not informing them the nature ofresearch. Avoiding deceptive practices makes the fourth principle of researchethics. Any kind of these action is not appropriate to make in to a practice atall. A research developed from this kind of action should not being honoured. Asfor the research involving deception, research participants cannot be deceivedabout the significant aspects of the research that would affect theirwillingness to participate or that could give harm to physically andemotionally. The true informed consent cannot be given if underlying misinformationhas been used in the research.
Lastly, the fifth principle is providing the right to withdraw from the research. Even thoughwith good explanation of the objectives of the research has been well informedand clear understanding, yet the participants might still refuse to involve inthe activity. They have the right to withdraw their participation in the researchproject. No one could force another human to do something that he/her do notwant to do. When a participant made their mind in drawing from research study, theyshould not being put under pressure or be threaten. The investigator must havean open mindset and respect the other people’s right.
