Participant Study Title: Heart Smarts
Formal Study Title: Heart Smarts: Comparing Emotional Intelligence in Monogamous and Consensually
Non-Monogamous Individuals
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Karen Yescavage, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
STUDENT INVESTIGATORS: Nathan R. Hurt, Michelle C. Longo, Frances F. Martin
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
For questions or concerns about the study, you may contact Karen Yescavage at 719-549-2719.
For questions regarding the rights of research subjects, any complaints or comments regarding the manner in
which the study is being conducted, contact the CSU Institutional Review Board at:
george.dallam@csupueblo.edu or 719-549-2619.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY?
The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the emotional intelligence of individuals who participate in
various types of relationships. With this information, we hope to find an association between preferred
relationship styles and the emotional intelligence of the persons involved in these relationships.
WHY AM I BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THIS RESEARCH?
You are being asked to participate in the survey because you are an adult age 18 or older, can read and
understand English, are not a member of a protected class (i.e., developmentally disabled or incarcerated
individuals), and are able to access the internet to complete the survey.
WHERE IS THE STUDY GOING TO TAKE PLACE AND HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
This survey is accessed via the internet and can be completed at any place or time. The study is expected to take no more than 25 minutes to complete.
WHAT WILL I BE ASKED TO DO?
If you volunteer to participate in this study, you will be asked to do the following: Answer a series of
demographic questions followed by 50 multiple choice questions to assess how you process and interpret
emotions.
ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS FROM TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY?
There may be no direct benefit to you as a participant in this study. However, we hope to learn more about the
relationship between emotional intelligence and preferred relationship style.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS?
There are no known or anticipated risks associated with participation in this study; however, it is not possible to
identify all potential risks in research procedures, and the nature of psychological research is such that some
participants could experience emotional discomfort or distress during participation. The researcher(s) have
taken reasonable safeguards to minimize any known and potential (but unknown) risks. Please be aware that some of the questions you will be asked deal with intimate partner relationships.
WILL I RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION FOR TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY?
No, you will not be compensated for participating in this research.
WHO WILL SEE THE INFORMATION THAT I GIVE?
All information gathered in this study will be kept as confidential as possible. Your privacy is very important to
us and the researchers will take every measure to protect it. Your information may be given out if required by
law; however, the researchers will do their best to make sure that any information that is released will not
identify you. No reference to your identity will be made in written or oral materials that could link you to this
study. For this study, we will assign a code to your data and your name will not appear in our records. Only the
research team will have access to the link between you, your code, and your data. All records will be stored in
an encrypted, cloud-based storage system at CSU for three years after completion of the study. After the
required storage time, the information gathered will be destroyed. We may be asked to share the research files
with the sponsor or the CSU Institutional Review Board ethics committee for auditing purposes.
The research team works to ensure confidentiality to the degree permitted by technology. It is possible, although
unlikely, that unauthorized individuals could gain access to your responses because you are responding online.
However, your participation in this online survey involves risks similar to a person’s everyday use of the
internet.
You should know, however, that there are some circumstances in which we may have to show your information
to other people. For example, the law may require us to show your information to a court OR to tell authorities
if we believe you have abused a child, or you pose a danger to yourself or someone else.
DO I HAVE TO TAKE PART IN THE STUDY?
Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may refuse to participate in this study, or you may
withdraw from the study at any time without prejudice to your relations with CSU. You are encouraged to ask
questions about this study at the beginning or at any time during the research study.
