• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Human Research Protection Program

University of Southern CaliforniaResearch and Innovation
  • Getting Started
  • Research
  • HRPP
  • IRB
  • Education & Certification
  • Policies
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Research / Participating in Research

Participating in Research

Research Affects You

There are many reasons to participate in research. Perhaps you or a loved one suffers from a condition without an established cure. Maybe you want to contribute your opinion or experiences on a topic that interests you. Nearly all of the medicines, therapies and devices we rely on every day were designed and refined through trials involving human research subjects.

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) provides educational materials and videos available online

Clinical Research Glossary 

This glossary is a list of research words and their meanings provided by the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center (MRCT Center) of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard. Use this glossary to learn more about words that are used in research studies.

Research/Clinical Trial at USC

  • Clinical Trials at USC
  • Cancer Center Trials at USC
  • Psychology Subject Pool (Students only)
  • Dept of Marketing Subject Pool (Students only)

Clinical Trial Search Tools

  • How to Find a Clinical Trial
  • ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Research Match
  • NIH Clinical Trial Registries
  • Trial Match (Alzheimer’s Association)
  • Fox Trial Finder (Parkinson’s Disease)
  • Pediatric (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)

Research Participant Guidance

  • Glossary of Clinical Trial Terms
  • Education Before Participation
  • NIH Resources for Participants
  • “Becoming a Research Volunteer: It’s Your Decision” (Pamphlet)
  • Veterans’ Participation in Research
  • Patient Advocacy and Protective Resources
  • Research Volunteer Informational Videos (OHRP)

Kids in Research

  • Children & Clinical Studies (NIH)
  • Should Your Child Be in a Clinical Trial? (FDA)
  • FDA for Kids
  • “What is Medical Research” — Comic for kids

Public Health & Research News

  • Report Adverse Events (FDA)
  • Easy to Read Health & Safety Info (NIH)
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (HHS)
  • News about Clinical Trials (AHRP)
  • The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation
  • USC Community Involvement
  • Healthy Skepticism -News and Workshops Critical of Medical Practices
  • Guinea Pig Zero -Alternative Views of Human Subjects Research Participation

Questions to Consider Before Deciding to Participate in Research

Does the study demand a large time commitments or expenses?

Such as commuting to and from appointments.

Are there potential risks or side effects?

The research team must inform you of any risks or side affects before you decide to participate in the study. This is part of the informed consent process

Are there benefits?

Many research studies involve control groups or placebos. If you are in such a group you will not receive the experimental treatment, however, you will be fulfilling an important role by helping researchers measure the effectiveness of the experimental procedure, drug, or device.

Who is conducting the study?

The Principal Investigator (PI) may be a physician, educator, student, or member of non-profit or for-profit organizations. You may be interested in finding out what company or institution is funding the study.

Who has reviewed/approved this study?

At most colleges, hospitals, and other institutions that receive government funding, studies involving human subjects are reviewed by a board of physicians, scientists, community members, students who assess the safety of the study and ensure that the subjects rights are appropriately protected according to federal law.

How will my privacy be protected? Who will have access to my records?

Ask the study coordinator or a member of the research team about how they plan to store your information and how long they plan to keep it. Will your identity be kept anonymous or do they wish to record “personally identifiable information” such as your address, phone number, social security number, etc..?

What if I no longer want to participate?

No one can force you to participate in research or to continue if you wish to withdraw your participation. A member of the research team should make that clear to you when you agree to participate.

Complaints, Concerns, or Reports of Violations

File or inquire about a human subjects related complaint, concern, or reports of violations.

Footer

HRPP

3720 S. Flower Street, Suite 325
Los Angeles, CA 90089

HRPP@usc.edu
(323) 442-0114

Full Accreditation badge from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs

About Us

  • Home
  • Announcements
  • Contact
  • Getting Started
  • Education & Certification
  • HRPP
  • Policies
  • Twitter

Research

  • BioIRB Meeting Dates
  • BioIRB Rosters
  • Biomedical Research
  • Biospecimen & Data Repositories
  • Emergency Research
  • Investigational Drugs and Devices
  • Investigator-Initiated Trials
  • Reliance Agreements
  • Requesting USC IRB to Act as the sIRB
  • Requesting USC to Rely on an External IRB
  • SBIRB Meeting Dates
  • SBIRB Roster
  • SBIRB Social Behavioral Research
  • Starting a Research Trial: the Basics
  • Student Researchers

IRB

  • Forms and Templates
  • FWA and IRB Registration Numbers
  • IRB FAQs
  • IRB Review: How to
  • IRB Submission Guidelines
  • Levels of IRB Review
  • Not Human Subjects Research (NHSR)
  • Privacy, Confidentiality, and Anonymity in Human Subjects Research
  • Recruitment Guidance
  • Urgent Review

HRPP
3720 S. Flower Street, Suite 325
Los Angeles, CA 90089
oprs@usc.edu
irb@usc.edu
(323) 442-0114

Full Accreditation badge from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs
University of Southern California   Content managed by HRPP
  • Privacy Notice - Notice of Non-Discrimination