Informed consent cannot include which type of language?

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in research and clinical practice, ensuring that participants understand what they are agreeing to before they participate. It must be clear, comprehensive, and free of any language that might mislead participants or undermine their autonomy.

Exculpatory language refers to statements that aim to release the researcher or institution from liability or prevent the participants from being able to hold them accountable for harm. This type of language undermines the purpose of informed consent, which is to ensure that individuals understand the risks and benefits of participation, as well as their rights. By including exculpatory language, the document could suggest that participants are waiving their rights, which is not permissible in the context of informed consent. This makes it vital that consent forms refrain from including any wording that would absolve the researchers of responsibility or that implies participants would not be able to seek compensation for harm resulting from the research.

Descriptive, technical, and formal language can all be appropriate in informed consent documents as long as they are used effectively to communicate the necessary information clearly. Descriptive language helps to elaborate on the study's procedures and risks, while technical language can be appropriate if it is well-explained and necessary for understanding the study. Formal language