Informed Consent

Informed Consent Statement

The International Disability and Inclusion Journal (IDIJ) requires all authors whose research involves human participants to ensure that ethical principles have been followed, including obtaining informed consent. The journal adheres to international ethical standards for research involving human subjects, including those outlined by institutional review boards (IRBs), and national guidelines.

  1. Consent and Use of Previously Collected Data

If a study uses previously collected data, such as interview transcripts, survey results, institutional records, or archived media, authors must confirm that:

  • The original data collection process included explicit informed consent for research use.
  • The data is de-identified where appropriate and used in accordance with ethical approval or data-sharing agreements.
  • If data was collected by another party, proper permissions have been obtained for reuse.

Authors must clearly state the source of the data and any limitations related to participant consent in their manuscript.

  1. Data Protection

Authors are responsible for ensuring that participant data is:

  • Collected and stored securely, in compliance with relevant data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
  • Anonymized or pseudonymized where feasible to minimize risk of identification.
  • Not shared with third parties beyond the research team unless explicitly consented to by participants or required by law.

Any use of cloud storage or data sharing platforms must align with institutional data security policies.

  1. Confidentiality and Privacy

Participants’ identities and personal information must be protected at all times. Authors must ensure that:

  • No identifying information (names, faces, voices, locations, etc.) is included in the manuscript without explicit participant consent.
  • Case descriptions, quotes, or media must be altered or masked as needed to prevent deductive disclosure.
  • For studies involving vulnerable populations, additional care must be taken to safeguard dignity and autonomy.
  1. Consent to Participate

Authors must obtain voluntary, informed consent from all research participants. This includes:

  • Clear explanation of the purpose of the study, what participation involves, risks, benefits, and the right to withdraw at any time.
  • Use of accessible consent processes, including plain language, interpreters, or alternative formats where needed.
  • For participants lacking capacity to consent, approval must be obtained from a legal guardian or ethics body.

A statement confirming that consent was obtained should be included in the Methods or Ethics section of the manuscript.

  1. Consent to Publish

For any identifiable information or media (e.g., photos, quotes, audio/video clips, personal narratives), participants must provide explicit consent to publish. This must be obtained separately from participation consent.

Consent to publish is required for:

  • Direct quotes that could reveal identity
  • Photographic or video materials
  • Detailed case studies

Signed or recorded consent forms must be retained by the researchers and made available to the journal upon request.

  1. Summary of Requirements

Authors submitting to IDIJ must:

  • Confirm that informed consent was obtained for all participants.
  • Ensure data is used, stored, and shared ethically and securely.
  • Protect participant confidentiality in all published materials.
  • Obtain and document consent to publish any identifiable content.
  • Include an ethical statement in the manuscript describing consent procedures and ethical approvals.

 

Failure to meet these standards may result in rejection, retraction, or formal reporting to oversight bodies. For further guidance or ethical consultation, contact the editorial office.