Free Academic Template · PDF & Word

Interview Consent Form
for Research

Free, IRB-compliant research interview consent form for academic, social science, anthropology, and psychology studies. Fill in your details online and download instantly — no sign-up required.

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Research Interview Consent Form

What Is an Interview Consent Form for Research?

A research interview consent form is a document that participants sign before taking part in an academic or scientific interview. It confirms that the participant has been fully informed about the study — its purpose, procedures, risks, and their rights — and that they have agreed to participate voluntarily.

Research interview consent forms are a core requirement of ethical research practice. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), university ethics committees, and funding bodies typically require researchers to obtain written informed consent from every participant before conducting any interview involving human subjects.

Whether you are conducting qualitative interviews, structured surveys, focus groups, or dissertation research, a properly completed consent form protects your participants and ensures your research meets ethical standards.

💡 IRB Requirement

Most Institutional Review Boards require a signed consent form before any interview with human participants begins. Always check with your IRB or ethics committee before waiving consent. Need a form tailored specifically for IRB requirements? See our IRB Interview Consent Form.

What Must a Research Interview Consent Form Include?

IRBs and ethics boards require that research interview consent forms address all of the following elements in plain, accessible language (no higher than an 8th-grade reading level):

  • Study Title, Purpose & IRB Protocol Number
    The full project title, a plain-language explanation of what the research aims to find out, and (where applicable) the IRB approval reference number.
  • Researcher Name, Institution & Contact Details
    Full name, institutional affiliation, email address, and phone number so participants can ask questions or withdraw consent after the interview.
  • Description of Participant Involvement
    What participants will be asked, the estimated duration, interview format (in-person, phone, Zoom), and the types of questions involved.
  • Recording and Transcription Disclosure
    Whether the interview will be audio or video recorded, who will transcribe it, how recordings will be stored, and when they will be destroyed.
  • Confidentiality & Data Storage
    How data will be stored (encrypted drive, password-protected server), who can access it, whether responses will be anonymised or attributed, and the data retention period.
  • Risks and Benefits
    Any foreseeable risks (usually minimal for research interviews) and any direct or indirect benefits to the participant or wider society from the research.
  • Voluntary Participation & Right to Withdraw
    A clear statement that participation is completely voluntary and that the participant may withdraw at any time without penalty, loss of benefits, or need to give a reason.
  • Signature Block for Participant and Researcher
    Printed name, signature, and date fields for both the participant and the lead researcher. For minors, add a parent or guardian signature line.

How to Write an Interview Consent Form for Research

Follow these six steps to create an IRB-compliant research interview consent form. Each step corresponds to a required section of the final document.

  1. State the Study Title and Purpose

    Open with the full project title, the name and affiliation of the lead researcher, and the IRB protocol number if one has been assigned. Then write a plain-language paragraph (two to three sentences) describing what the study is investigating and why. Avoid academic jargon — write as if explaining to someone with no background in your field.

  2. Describe What Participation Involves

    Explain exactly what the participant will be asked to do: the estimated duration of the interview, the format (in-person, telephone, Zoom), whether the interview follows a structured or open-ended format, and approximately how many questions will be asked. Include any follow-up contact that may be required.

  3. Disclose Recording and Data Collection Methods

    State whether the interview will be audio recorded, video recorded, or noted by hand only. Specify who will have access to recordings and transcripts, and when recordings will be deleted after transcription. If you are using third-party transcription software, name the platform and confirm its privacy compliance.

  4. Explain Confidentiality and Data Storage

    Describe precisely how participant data will be stored (encrypted drive, password-protected university server, etc.), who within the research team can access it, whether responses will be published anonymously or with attribution, and for how long data will be retained. Reference any applicable data-protection regulations (GDPR, FERPA, etc.) that apply to your study.

  5. State Risks, Benefits & Voluntary Participation

    Disclose any foreseeable risks — for most research interviews, these are minimal (e.g., mild discomfort when discussing personal topics). State any potential benefits to the participant and to the broader field. Clearly confirm that participation is voluntary, that declining will have no negative consequences, and that the participant may withdraw at any point without giving a reason.

  6. Add Contact Information and Signature Block

    Include the researcher's email and phone number so participants can ask questions before or after the interview. Close with a signature block: printed name, signature, and date for both the participant and the researcher. For studies involving minors, add a separate parent or guardian consent section and, where appropriate, a participant assent section for the minor.

Research Interview Consent Form — Live Preview

Fill in the form on the right to update the preview below in real time, then download your completed research interview consent form as a PDF or Word document.

Study Information
Study Title: Enter study title →
Researcher: Enter researcher name →
Institution: Enter institution →
IRB Protocol No.: Enter IRB number →
Contact: Enter email →
Purpose
You are invited to participate in a research interview. The purpose of this study is to enter study purpose →. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board.
Participation
You will be asked to take part in a enter interview format → interview lasting approximately enter duration →. The interview will cover topics related to the study listed above.
Recording: select recording option →
Your Rights
• Participation is entirely voluntary • You may withdraw at any time without penalty • You may decline to answer any question • Your responses will be kept select confidentiality level →
Consent Statement
I have read and understood the information above. I voluntarily agree to participate in this research interview and understand that I may withdraw at any time without consequence.
 
Participant Name (print)
 
Participant Signature & Date
 
Researcher Signature
 
Date

Full Research Interview Consent Form Sample

The sample below shows a complete, ready-to-use research interview consent form. Copy the text or download the PDF or Word template above to get the editable version.

Sample: Research Interview Consent Form 
RESEARCH INTERVIEW CONSENT FORM

Study Title:     [Insert Full Research Project Title]
Researcher:      [Researcher Full Name], [Department / School]
Institution:     [University / Organisation Name]
IRB Protocol:    [IRB / Ethics Reference Number, if approved]
Contact:         [researcher@university.edu] · [Phone Number]

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PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
You are being invited to participate in a research interview. The purpose
of this study is to [describe the research objective in plain language —
e.g., "explore how undergraduate students experience academic stress during
examination periods"]. This research has been reviewed and approved by the
Institutional Review Board (IRB) at [Institution Name], Protocol No. [XXXX].

WHAT PARTICIPATION INVOLVES
If you agree to take part, you will be asked to participate in a
[structured / semi-structured / in-depth] interview lasting approximately
[XX] minutes. The interview will be conducted [in person / via Zoom /
by telephone] and will cover topics related to [brief description of
subject matter]. Your participation involves [number] interview session(s).

RECORDING AND TRANSCRIPTION
With your permission, this interview will be [audio / video] recorded
for transcription purposes only. Recordings will be stored on an
encrypted, password-protected device and will be permanently deleted
after transcription is complete. Only the research team will have access
to recordings.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA USE
All information you provide will be kept strictly confidential.
[Your responses will be fully anonymised — no identifying information will
appear in any published work.  /  You will be identified only by a
pseudonym in all published outputs.]
Data will be stored securely on [describe storage method] and retained
for [X years] in accordance with [institutional / GDPR] data policies.

RISKS AND BENEFITS
Participation in this study involves minimal risk. You may decline to
answer any question that makes you uncomfortable. There are no direct
benefits to you, though your participation will contribute to research
on [research topic] and may benefit [describe potential societal benefit].

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw
at any time and for any reason without penalty, loss of benefits to which
you are otherwise entitled, or negative consequences of any kind. You may
also request that your data be removed from the study after the interview,
up to [date / data analysis commencement].

QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
If you have questions about this research, please contact:
[Researcher Name] · [researcher@university.edu] · [Phone]

If you have concerns about the ethical conduct of this study, please
contact the IRB at [institution IRB email / phone].

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CONSENT

I have read and understood the information above. I have had the
opportunity to ask questions and am satisfied with the answers received.
I agree to participate in this research interview on a voluntary basis.

□  I consent to this interview being audio recorded.
□  I consent to this interview being video recorded.
□  I do NOT consent to recording — written notes only.

Participant Name (print): _________________________________

Participant Signature: ___________________________________  Date: __________

Researcher Name (print): _________________________________

Researcher Signature: ____________________________________  Date: __________

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Please retain a copy of this form for your records.

Discipline-Specific Research Interview Consent Forms

Different research disciplines have specific ethical requirements. The templates below are adapted versions of the standard research interview consent form, each tailored to the norms and requirements of its field.

Social Science Research Interview Consent Form

Social science research interviews typically explore lived experiences, attitudes, and social phenomena. Your consent form should clarify whether responses will be anonymised, how data will contribute to published academic work, and any potential for emotional discomfort when discussing sensitive social topics. See also: qualitative interview consent form.

Anthropology Research Interview Consent Form

Anthropological research often involves extended engagement with communities. Consent forms for anthropology interviews should address ongoing consent (the right to withdraw at any stage of a long-term study), the use of direct quotations, how cultural knowledge will be represented in publications, and any community-level approval required in addition to individual participant consent.

Psychology Research Interview Consent Form

Psychology interviews may cover sensitive topics — mental health, trauma, or behaviour — that carry a higher potential for participant distress. Consent forms must clearly state the nature of the questions, provide details of available support resources, and confirm debriefing procedures. See our psychology interview consent form for a subject-specific template.

Research Interview Consent Form for College Students

Studies conducted at colleges and universities must comply with the institution's specific IRB requirements. Some universities — including Penn State, SNHU, UCL, and the University of Edinburgh — have their own required consent form language. Always check your institution's IRB portal for an approved template before downloading a generic form. See our IRB interview consent form page for institution-specific guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions — Research Interview Consent Form

A research interview consent form is a document signed by a study participant before an academic or scientific interview begins. It confirms that the participant has been informed about the study purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, confidentiality measures, and their right to withdraw at any time — and that they agree to participate voluntarily. It is a fundamental requirement of ethical research with human participants.
Most research involving human participants requires IRB-approved consent. However, some studies may qualify for a waiver of written consent — for example, anonymous surveys or telephone interviews posing minimal risk. Always check with your Institutional Review Board before proceeding without written consent. When in doubt, obtain a signed consent form. See our IRB interview consent form for institution-specific requirements.
The terms are often used interchangeably. An informed consent form specifically emphasises that the participant has been provided with sufficient information to make a voluntary, educated decision about taking part. All research interview consent forms should meet informed consent standards as defined by your IRB or ethics board.
Yes. You use the same consent form template for all participants in a study — each participant receives and signs their own individual copy. Keep all signed originals in a secure location separate from the interview data to protect participant anonymity. File signed consent forms for the duration specified in your IRB protocol or data management plan.
Yes. Research interviews conducted via telephone, Zoom, Skype, or email still require participant consent. For telephone interviews, many IRBs accept a verbal consent script read at the start of the call, with the researcher noting consent in their records. For online video interviews, a PDF sent by email and returned signed is widely accepted. Download our free online interview consent form for remote research.
Yes. IRBs and ethics boards require that consent forms be written at a reading level the participant can understand — typically no higher than Grade 8. Avoid technical jargon and explain necessary terms clearly. Our free research interview consent form templates are written in plain, accessible language and can be adapted for any study population.