What is the goal of obtaining informed consent from study participants?

The goal of obtaining informed consent from study participants is to ensure they understand the risks involved and agree to participate voluntarily. Informed consent is a fundamental principle of ethical research practices that respects the autonomy of individuals by providing them with sufficient information about the study, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and their right to withdraw at any time without penalty. This process allows participants to make an informed decision about their involvement based on their understanding of what participation will entail.

Other options, while they may mention aspects related to study participation, do not capture the essence of informed consent. Awareness of the study's location is not central to the informed consent process, nor is it sufficient for establishing participation. Collecting personal information for future studies and confirming participation in future trials are ancillary and do not reflect the core objective of ensuring that participants are well-informed about the specific study they are considering. Thus, these elements do not adequately address the fundamental ethical requirements underlying informed consent in clinical research.