Informed consent is designed to provide information to the potential subject about the research and the subject's involvement in the research. An informed consent form is able to document voluntary informed consent and should be only one of many means used to obtain informed consent. A clear oral explanation, a demonstration of the procedures, showing an informative video, and eliciting and answering questions are other means to obtain informed consent. The following guidelines explain the steps for obtaining informed consent. Written, signed consent should always be sought unless there are compelling reasons to seek a partial or full waiver of consent.
Verbal consent means that subjects are read a verbal version of informed consent.
Each subject will be asked whether the subject wants documentation linking the subject with the research and the subject's wishes will govern. That the research presents no more than minimal risk of harm to subjects and involves no procedures for which written consent is normally required outside of the research context. How to proceed with illiterate subjects. An IRB, in rare cases, may waive the requirements to obtain informed consent.