Can a student be penalized for failing to show up for a scheduled appointment to participate in a research study?
No. According to a January 8, 2010, memorandum posted on the website of the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), penalizing students by deducting credits violates the requirements of Department of Health and Human Services regulations at 45 CFR part 46.116(a)(8). Under the provisions of the regulations, students must be free to choose not to participate in research they have signed up for at any time prior to the start of their involvement and to communicate their decisions not to participate in research in whatever way they choose, including by simply not showing up. The full text of the OHRP memorandum can be found here: www.hhs.gov/ohrp/policy/correspond/OHRP20100108.html.
