What must participants be provided with to ensure informed consent?

To ensure informed consent, participants must be provided with comprehensive information about potential risks. This is essential because informed consent is rooted in the ethical principle that individuals should have enough information to make a reasoned and voluntary decision about whether or not to participate in research. By understanding the potential risks, participants can weigh those against the benefits of participation.

Comprehensive information allows participants to assess their own comfort levels and make informed choices about their involvement. This assurance also aligns with ethical guidelines in research that prioritize participant welfare and autonomy, ensuring that individuals are not exposed to unexpected harm.

While the information in the other options can contribute to understanding the study, it does not encompass the primary requirement for informed consent in the same way that detailed risk assessment does. A brief summary of the research method, a guarantee of confidentiality, and a summary of previous research findings are important but do not provide the full spectrum of information necessary for participants to make an informed decision regarding their safety and well-being as a result of potential risks.