Become a

Research Volunteer

Research needs you

It’s YOUR decision

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Food & Drug Administration

Office of Minority Health

Research Can Improve 

People’s Health

Research helps doctors and scientists better 

understand, prevent, and treat diseases.

Research also helps scientists find out if 

medicines work and are safe for people to 

use.

Some other words that 

describe research are:

• study

• clinical trial

• protocol 

Research has led to important discoveries that 

make our lives better. 

Some examples are:

• new medicines to treat cancer, diabetes, heart 

disease, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases & 

conditions

• vaccines 

• ways to stop smoking

• faster medical imaging machines

How YOU can become a 

research volunteer:

Ask your doctor or nurse. They might know if there is 

a research study that is right for you. 

For more information about participating in 

research studies please visit or call:

clinicaltrials.gov

www.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials

OMH@fda.hhs.gov

1-888-INFO-FDA

(1-888-463-6332)

Follow us on Twitter @FDAOMH

www.fda.gov/MinorityHealth 

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What are the risks?

The medicine being tested may be new, so

you may have side effects the doctor does 

not expect. 

Many side effects don’t last long and go 

away when treatment is stopped.

 

In rare cases, side effects can be serious or 

even life-threatening.

Before you choose to volunteer, risks 

should be fully explained to you.

You will be given detailed contact 

information in case of severe side effects or 

emergency. 

If the medicine you receive in the study 

turns out to be harmful, the study is 

stopped.

How are YOU protected?

Before you agree to volunteer, you need to 

get the facts. The research team is required 

by law to explain all the study details, 

including potential benefits and risks. 

To show you understand what will 

happen during the study, and you agree 

to volunteer, you sign a special document 

called “informed consent.” You can 

obtain help from a representative legally 

authorized by you if you don’t understand 

the document.

This is not a contract. You can leave the 

study at any time for any reason.

Every study is monitored to make sure it is 

as safe as possible. 

Your study records are private and 

confidential. The research team, your 

doctor or nurse will have access to your 

records.

Questions YOU should ask:

• What is the study trying to find out?

• What exactly will happen to me in the study?

• How long will the study last?

• Will the study help me personally?

• What are the risks? Will there be any side 

effects?

• What are the side effects? Will I get help/

treatment for the side effect if I get any?

• Who will pay for my enrollment in the study? 

Will it cost me anything personally?

• Will I receive money for being in this study?

• What other options do I have?

• What are the potential risks if I’m pregnant or 

become pregnant?

Why should YOU volunteer?

It is important for research studies to include 

volunteers from diverse populations.

As a volunteer, you can:

• benefit society by helping researchers find better 

treatments for you and others in the future

• help researchers discover better ways to fight 

diseases

• help researchers find out if people process 

medicines in different ways

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