How do I assess the risk level of my research for human participants?

If the study involves sensitive material, then there is potential anxiety, pain, or embarrassment. Researchers must assess whether their procedures may cause anxiety, pain, or embarrassment to participants. If so, the ethics application should include: (1) a description of the nature of the anxiety, and (2) a detailed description of the precautions that will be taken to safeguard the participants (e.g., informing participants, providing contact information).

Special procedures, which may include providing resources or reporting to authorities, must be followed in the case of potential harm to self, harm to others, or child abuse. Please contact a Research Compliance Coordinator for further information about these special procedures.

In addition, studies that involve purposefully or potentially anxiety-inducing procedures should have a mood neutralization procedure as the final step of their study (e.g., viewing pleasant pictures).