This resource provides guidance on using institutionally-supported software tools for electronically documenting consent from human participants. Explore each option to understand access permissions, data and security considerations, ethics and research compliance, accessibility and compatibility features, and design and functionality as well as which McMaster unit hosts or provides the tool.

Researchers obtaining consent – whether as a standalone process or as part of data collection – must ensure their process complies with Tri-Council Policy Statement Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – TCPS 2 (2022). Depending on the study, other regulations may apply (for example, the US Federal Regulations or Canadian clinical trial requirements). In addition, it’s important that researchers keep study data separate from identifiable consent, where possible – otherwise your data becomes fully identifiable. See the Ethics & Research Compliance section under each tool to learn how to manage this separation.