Final answer:
Informed consent is based on the principles of disclosure; providing participants with essential study information, comprehension; ensuring participants understand the information, and voluntariness; confirming participation is without coercion and entirely voluntary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three fundamental principles of informed consent are disclosure, comprehension, and voluntariness.
Disclosure
Researchers must provide all relevant information regarding the study including potential risks and benefits to the participants. This ensures that participants have a clear understanding of what their participation involves.
Comprehension
It is essential that participants fully understand the information that has been provided to them. This includes the scope of the study, procedures involved, and the implications of the research. Researchers may need to assess the participants' understanding and provide additional explanations if necessary.
Voluntariness
Participants must willingly agree to join the study without any form of coercion. They should be made aware that their participation is entirely voluntary and that they can withdraw at any point without any penalty or impact on their care.
Informed consent ensures that the principle of autonomy is upheld, protecting participants from exploitation. In addition to the personal consent, institutional review boards (IRBs) often require a written consent form which must be signed by the participants or their legal guardians if they are under 18.