The University of Osnabrück and The German National Science Foundation (DFG) requires that any research involving human subject must fulfil the following criteria:

(1)    Risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects, and the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result

(2)    Risks to subjects are minimized by using procedures which are consistent with sound research design and which do not unnecessarily expose subjects to risk

(3)    Informed consent will be sought from each prospective subject or the subject's legally authorized representative

(4)    Informed consent will be appropriately documented

(5)    When appropriate, there are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain the confidentiality of data

(6)    When appropriate, the research plan makes adequate provision for monitoring the safety and protection of data collected

Additional requirements for Informed consent

The ethics board requires that the informed consent is given after the dissemination of the following information (either in written or oral form):

(1)   A statement that the study involves research, an explanation of the purposes of the research and the expected duration of the subject's participation, and a description of the procedures to be followed

(2)   A description of any reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject;

(3)   A description of any benefits to the subject or to others which may reasonably be expected from the research; 

(4)   A statement describing the extent, if any, to which confidentiality of records identifying the subject will be maintained;

(5)   An explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the research and research subjects' rights, and whom to contact in the event of a research related injury to the subject; 

(6)   A statement that participation is voluntary, refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled, and the subject may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled.

(7)   Anticipated circumstances under which the subject's participation may be terminated by the investigator without regard to the subject's consent;

(8) The consequences of a subject's decision to withdraw from the research and procedures for orderly termination of participation by the subject; and

(9)  Any costs to the subject that may result from participation in the research;

In case any one of these points are expected to be violated, the University requires additional explanation of the reasons and potential risks involved. In such a case, the ethics board considers each case on the basis of arguments provided by the researcher and potential risks involved.