What is a "waiver of consent" in research ethics?

A "waiver of consent" in research ethics refers to a specific approval that allows researchers to conduct a study without obtaining consent from participants under certain conditions. This can occur in situations where obtaining consent may compromise the integrity of the research, such as in studies involving sensitive topics or when obtaining consent is impractical. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) evaluates and grants this waiver based on ethical standards that ensure minimal risk to participants and the necessity of the research for advancing knowledge while balancing ethical concerns.

The conditions for granting a waiver typically include that the research poses no more than minimal risk to participants and that it will not adversely affect their rights and welfare. This mechanism allows researchers to proceed with their investigations while upholding ethical standards when traditional consent processes may not be feasible or appropriate.