How to obtain informed consent for UX research
Informed consent is an exchange of information in which the researcher informs the participant about what participation in the study entails and the possible consequences of participating, and the participant fully understands the terms of the study and can make an informed decision about whether to participate voluntarily.
European legislation concerning the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, Regulation (EU) 2016/679).
In Spain, we also have to comply with Organic Law 7/2021, of May 26, on the protection of personal data processed for the purposes of the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of criminal offenses and the execution of criminal sanctions.
Ethics is a crucial characteristic when we talk about research involving human participants. UX Researchers are responsible for the well-being of participants, and they must represent them honestly and keep their personal information safe.
If you want to learn how to conduct UX research, don’t miss our Specialization Program (this training is only available in Spanish.):
What to include in a consent form
The consent form must be written in a language that participants can understand. It should also be adapted based on the needs, format, and unique characteristics of each study.
In general, these are the sections that a consent form should include:
- Purpose of the study. Participants need to be informed about the nature of the study without revealing any hypotheses or details that might bias behavior during the UX research.
- Study format. The consent form should describe the activities, tasks, and their duration. It can also explain how data will be collected.
- Voluntary participation clause. This section should explain that participation is voluntary and that withdrawal and changing one’s mind are also allowed. This clause ensures that the participant always has control.
- Data handling. Clearly explain how personal data, findings, and recordings will be handled.
- Statement of consent. Instead of just including a signature block, it is highly recommended to include a phrase that instills confidence in accepting the terms. An example could be: I consent to the terms of this study.
- Checkboxes. Additionally, if participants need to accept multiple conditions, it is useful to include multiple checkboxes instead of a general one. This way, participants can consent to participate in the study but may opt out of being recorded. The checkboxes could be:
I agree to the terms of this study
I consent to the audio recording of the session for analysis purposes.
I consent to the video recording of the session for analysis purposes.
Other information that could be included if relevant are compensation, parental or guardian participation and approval, and a more detailed study information sheet.
How to obtain informed consent
Depending on the type of research, consent can be obtained and stored in different ways:
- In in-person research sessions, the best option is to have the participant sign the consent form on paper. Afterwards, the consent form can be scanned and a copy saved.
- In remote research sessions, the consent form can be sent via email or postal mail, and the participant can be asked to return the signed consent. Verbal consent on the recording is also acceptable, as long as the participant has read all the information beforehand.
- In online surveys, information can be provided as the first step, and positive confirmation can be requested. If informed consent is not accepted, the survey cannot continue.
It is very important to retain proof of consent from each participant to control what information is stored about each of them and how.
If consent is required from individuals with disabilities, it must be ensured that the person can use and understand the information correctly and make any necessary adjustments in each case. For example, if the participant has a visual impairment, it should be verified before the session if they need a digital version that they can read through a screen reader.
What to do if a participant withdraws their informed consent?
It must be taken into account that participation in research studies is voluntary, and participants can stop or withdraw their consent at any time.
This should be clearly stated during recruitment and reminded at the beginning and end of the research. It is also important to repeat it if at any point we feel that participants are uncomfortable or confused about how their data will be used.
If a participant withdraws their consent during a UX research session, the session must be stopped, and all data collected must be deleted. All paper notes, recordings, files, and any references to that participant in our databases must be securely deleted.
If consent is withdrawn after the session, the same process must be followed, i.e., all data associated with that person must be deleted.
How to ensure user research is ethical
To ensure that user research is ethical, there are several aspects to consider:
- Be honest. Be honest with participants about the purpose of the research, for whom it is being conducted, and how the results will be used. All this information must be included in the consent form.
- Be empathetic. Consider how participants will feel during the research. Some may feel nervous when trying something new, so it’s important to know how to reassure them.
- Accurately represent participants. When analyzing the research and presenting the results, it is important to accurately and honestly represent what participants have said and done. It is crucial to avoid any kind of bias, both during the research and when analyzing the results. See also: Confirmation bias in UX.
- Do no harm. This phrase may seem too obvious, but it must be understood that we cannot do anything that is harmful to research participants. All possible efforts should be made to avoid any unintentional harm, such as that which might arise from how we interact with participants.
- Ensure participants’ data is secure. If anonymity has been agreed upon for users, it is very important to maintain it both in the way data is stored and in the presentation of results.
- Obtain informed consent and necessary permissions. As explained in this article, informed consent requires participants to have a clear understanding of what is being done and for what purpose the research will be used.
- Do not waste participants’ time. It is very important to plan the research correctly to avoid wasting anyone’s time. Consider the duration of each session, the effort being asked of participants, and whether participation is compensated or not.
Obtaining informed consent from participants is fundamental for UX Researchers to conduct fair, transparent, and accurate research.
This is a translation of the following article from our corporate website:
