Final answer:
Researchers are responsible for ensuring that subjects have comprehended the information about a study for informed consent. The Institutional Review Board reviews informed consent procedures. Participants must understand all risks, benefits, and rights related to the study.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Belmont Report, researchers are responsible for ascertaining that the subject has comprehended the research information. This is part of ensuring informed consent, a fundamental ethical requirement in all studies involving human participants. Researchers must ensure that all risks and benefits are clearly outlined, and that study participants are fully aware of the relevant aspects of the study. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is often involved in this process to ensure ethical standards are met and to review informed consent procedures.
The researcher's responsibility extends to rendering the information about the study in such a way that is understandable to the participants, thus enabling them to make an informed decision about their involvement. Consent must be given willingly and without coercion, and subjects must have the option to withdraw from the study at any time. It is vital that the IRB-informed consent paperwork is comprehensively and clearly detailed to address all potential concerns and to allow subjects to determine their level of participation freely.