Stanford University is located in a very culturally diverse
region of California. Investigators are encouraged to recruit and include
all segments of our community in research, including individuals whose primary
language is not English.
Participants who do not speak English should be presented with a consent
document written in a language understandable to them.
Written consent documents should embody, in language understandable to the
participant, all the elements necessary for legally effective informed
consent. The Stanford HRPP and OHRP strongly encourage the use of a full
consent form translated into the participant’s language whenever possible.
When all of the participants in a study (i.e., the target population) are
anticipated to be non-English speaking, a full translated consent is necessary.
When research is being conducted in a language other than
English, it is important that consent forms be translated accurately.
Procedures for ensuring accurate translation should be described.
For further
information, contact:
Alternatively, federal regulations permit use of a Short Form Consent Process under certain circumstances, when approved by the IRB.