What is the main purpose of informed consent?

The main purpose of informed consent is to ensure ethical standards are met in research. Informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle that requires researchers to provide participants with comprehensive information about the study, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits. This process empowers participants to make informed decisions about their involvement in the research. It underscores the importance of voluntary participation, ensuring that individuals have the right to withdraw at any time without penalty.

This ethical framework helps to protect participants' autonomy and rights, fostering trust between researchers and participants. By obtaining informed consent, researchers not only adhere to ethical guidelines but also enhance the integrity of the research process itself.

Other options, while relevant to research in different contexts, do not encapsulate the primary purpose of informed consent. Gathering demographic information, finalizing research questions, and determining methods are all integral parts of the research design but do not specifically address the ethical obligation to inform and protect participants.