Perceptions of Research Assistants on How Their Research Participants View Informed Consent and Its Documentation in Africa

  • Araali B
N/ACitations
Citations of this article
17Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

This paper discusses the issue of informed consent from an African perspective with a particular emphasis on the problems posed by the documentation of consent in the African socio-cultural environment. The paper presents two small-scale surveys which typify and exemplify the African perspective with regard to procedures for obtaining consent (agreement) and for documenting it. To avoid causing moral pain to African research participants and the feeling of having been used as mere sources of data, this paper suggests, as a short-term solution, that African cultural values be incorporated in the procedures and regulations aimed at protecting their human rights. As a long-term solution, the paper encourages universities and research institutions operating in Africa to come up with clear guidelines of ethical conduct which would satisfy both the interests of ordinary Africans (particularly the rural and uneducated population) and legal requirements to which Western research institutions and funding agencies are subjected.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Araali, B. B. (2011). Perceptions of Research Assistants on How Their Research Participants View Informed Consent and Its Documentation in Africa. Research Ethics, 7(2), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/174701611100700203

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free