Research Methodology · Research Ethics & Informed Consent

Consider the following statements regarding the ethical requirements and administration of Informed Consent in research: I. Prior to obtaining an agreement, researchers must clearly communicate the study's purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits to the individuals involved. II. Researchers are obligated to ensure that participation is entirely voluntary and secured without the imposition of any coercion or pressure. III. Participants must be guaranteed the ongoing freedom to withdraw from the research at any given stage without facing any negative consequences. IV. The process of securing informed consent eliminates the researcher's responsibility to adhere to the principle of non-maleficence, as participants have voluntarily accepted the study's risks. Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: