What constitutes coercion or undue influence when students are involved in research in a college or university setting?
The regulations require that the investigator seek consent only under circumstances that minimize the possibility of coercion or undue influence (45 CFR 46.116). The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) recommends that institutions have policies in place that clarify for students and faculty that any participation of students in research must be voluntary. Reasonable levels of extra credit or rewards may be offered for participating in research. If extra credit or rewards are offered for participation, students must be provided with and informed of non-research alternativesinvolving comparable time and effortto obtain the extra credit in order for the possibility of undue influence to be minimized. However, if participation in research is a course requirement, students must be informed of non-research alternativesinvolving comparable time and effortto fulfill those requirements in order for the possibility of undue influence to be minimized. Moreover, students must not be penal
