INTRODUCTION
The title of this research study is, “An Exploration of Leader Descriptions of the Relationship Between Authentic Leadership and Organizational Climate: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.”

I am Mary Starr, a doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Rita Hartman in the College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University. The purpose of this research is to explore how leaders describe the influence of authentic leadership on organizational climate.

KEY INFORMATION
This document defines the terms and conditions for consenting to participate in this research study.

   HOW DO I KNOW IF I CAN BE IN THIS STUDY?
      You can participate in this study if you:
        -->Are currently a supervisor, manager, director or above
        -->Have been in a leadership position for at least 2 years
        -->Work in an organization that has at least 5 employees
        -->Have direct or indirect oversight of at least 5 employees

     You cannot participate in this study if you:
       -->Are not currently a manager, supervisor, director or above
       -->Have not been in a leadership position for at least 2 years
       -->Do not work in an organization that has at least 5 employees
       -->Do not have direct or indirect oversight of at least 5 employees


WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO DO? If you agree to be in this study
What:  
• You will be asked to complete a two-part online questionnaire (10 minutes)
       o The demographic questionnaire includes questions about your age, gender, ethnicity, education, and leadership experience. These are optional.
       o       The leadership questionnaire asks about your leadership style.
• You may be asked to participate in a one-on-one interview (60 minutes)
• You may be asked to participate in focus group with 4-6 people (60-90 minutes)

When:  
• Interviews will be scheduled on a day and time that works best for you
• Focus groups will be scheduled on a day and time that works best for all participants.

Where / How:
• Interviews can be in person at a location convenient for you
        or through Zoom video conference.
• Focus groups will be via Zoom video conference.

Audiotaping:
I would like to audio record your responses in interviews and focus groups. You cannot participate if you do not want to be recorded. All your responses and information will be identified with a confidential code known only to the researcher. The transcriber who will transcribe the audio files has signed a non-disclosure confidentiality agreement.

Videotaping:
I would like to use the video to record your responses if the interview or focus group is by Zoom video conference. The focus groups in Zoom video conference will be video recorded. You cannot participate in a focus group if you do not wish to be video recorded. Because the video recording will show who you are, extra steps will be taken to protect your identity. You can still participate in the interview if you do not wish to be video recorded. All data collected will be identified with a confidential code known only to the researcher. For information about Zoom privacy policy, please see https://explore.zoom.us/docs/en-us/privacy.html

WHO WILL HAVE ACCESS TO MY INFORMATION?
Only the researcher, committee members, and required GCU personnel will be able to view the data. A code will be assigned to your responses, and your identity will not be disclosed to anyone. The transcriber who will transcribe the audio files has signed a non-disclosure confidentiality agreement.

Participation is voluntary. However, you can leave the study at any time, even if you have not finished without any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you decide to stop participating, you may do so by notifying me by email or phone call as soon as possible. If an interview has been completed, and you have had the opportunity to review the transcript, I will continue to use your responses. Otherwise, the researcher will not use your responses in the study.

ANY POSSIBLE RISKS OR DISCOMFORT? No

ANY DIRECT BENEFITS FOR ME? No

ANY PAID COMPENSATION FOR MY TIME? There is no payment for participating in the study.

HOW WILL MY INFORMATION AND/OR IDENTITY BE PROTECTED?  All information obtained in this study is strictly confidential. To protect your privacy, your name or any other information that could be linked to you will not be used. Once you agree to participate in the study, your identifying information will be replaced with a pseudonym. Only the researcher will have access to information that identifies you to carry out this research study.

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION COLLECTED
The information from this study may be used in future reports, presentations, and publications, but the researcher will not identify you. Any personal information that could identify you will be removed or changed before files are shared with other researchers or results are made public.

PRIVACY AND DATA SECURITY
• Will researchers ever be able to link my data/responses back to me?     NO
• Will my data include information that can identify me (names, addresses, etc.)?     NO
• Will researcher assign my data/responses a research ID code to use instead of my
        name?     YES

        --> If YES, will researcher create a list to link names with their research ID codes?
The researcher will create a link to names with the participant’s research ID code, or pseudonym. Your personal information will be protected so no one will be able to connect your responses and any other information that identifies you. The researcher will replace your identifying information with research ID code.

        -->If YES, how will researchers secure the link of names and research ID codes?
             How long will the link be kept? Who has access? Approximate destroy date?
All data, including the link of participants’ identity and research ID codes, will be stored on a password-protected hard drive in a separate location to ensure study data cannot be connected to specific names. When the study is completed, all data will be transferred to a USB flash drive and stored at the researcher’s residence. All raw data will be stored for three years following the study’s completion, then destroyed on December 31, 2025.

• HOW WILL MY DATA BE PROTECTED (electronic and hardcopy)? Where? How long?
       Who will have access? Approximate destroy or de-identification date?
All data and informed consent forms will be locked in a fire safe to protect the privacy of the participant. All data will be stored electronically on password-protected USB flash drive. The USB drive will be kept in a locked file cabinet located in the researcher’s office accessible only by the researcher. The paper and electronic data and USB drive will be destroyed three years after the completion of the doctoral study on December 31, 2025.

• WHERE AND HOW WILL THE INFORMED CONSENT FORMS BE SECURED?
The signed forms will be scanned and downloaded to the USB drive. Paper copies will be destroyed.

FUTURE RESEARCH
Once identifiers (name, address, etc.) are removed from data collected for this study, the de-identified data could be used for future research studies or distributed to other investigators for future research studies without additional informed consent from you or your legally authorized representative.

STUDY CONTACTS
If you have questions about the research study or your participation in the study, before or after your consent, please contact Mary Starr at MStarr4@my.gcu.edu or (209) 484-9079.

If you have questions about your rights as a subject/participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you can contact the Chair of the Human Subjects Institutional Review Board, through the College of Doctoral Studies at IRB@gcu.edu; (602) 639-7804.

VOLUNTARY CONSENT
        PARTICIPANT’S RIGHTS
• You have been given an opportunity to read and discuss the informed consent and
        ask questions about this study;
• You have been given enough time to consider whether or not you want to participate;
• You have read and understand the terms and conditions and agree to take part in
        this research study;
• You understand your participation is voluntary and that you may stop participation at
        any time without penalty.
• California Consumer Privacy Act
If you live in California, you may have additional privacy rights. You have the right to know how your personal information is used or shared. Your personal information will not be sold. If you would like more information about your consumer privacy rights, please see https://www.oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa