What does "informed consent" ensure in research studies?

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle in research studies that ensures participants are fully aware of the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits before agreeing to participate. This means that participants must be given comprehensive information in an understandable format, empowering them to make an informed decision about their involvement.

When participants provide consent based on full knowledge of the study, they are more likely to engage meaningfully with the research and trust the process. This transparency is critical for ethical research practices, as it respects an individual's autonomy and right to make informed choices regarding their participation.

While participants do have the right to withdraw from the study without consequences, this aspect is not the primary purpose of informed consent. Additionally, it is essential that participants are not left unaware of the study's purpose or coerced into consenting to all research aspects without adequate explanations, as these would undermine the ethical foundations of conducting research.