Personality and Networks Study

[Purpose]
You are being asked to participate in a research study about how people think about themselves and the positions they occupy in social networks.  The purpose of this research is understand how different kinds of people approach their social networks. You were selected as a possible participant because you are a Western Illinois University student taking a class in the Communication Department who is at least 18 years old.  Please read this form and ask any questions that you may have before agreeing to be in the research.

[Information about Participants’ Involvement in the Study]
The study is an online survey. It should take you approximately 15 minutes to complete the research study.

If you agree to be a participant in this research, we would ask you to do the following things: answer some questions in an online survey about how you perceive yourself and how you interact with others.

[Risks]
This research has the following risks:  no risk beyond daily living.

[Benefits]
The benefits of participation are that you may benefit from considering how you interact with others. This research is part of an ongoing program to learn how to design campaigns to promote healthy behavior.

[Compensation]
You will receive the following payment/reimbursement:  You will receive 20 minutes worth of Research Participation Credit in one of your Communication Classes.

[Confidentiality]
The information in this research will be kept confidential. Your name will not be associated with this set of data. You will be asked to complete a separate form at the end of the survey where you will indicate your contact information. Research data will be stored in a secure location: the primary investigator’s password protected office computer. The data will be made available to the public by posting the data to an online public repository. No reference will be made in oral or written reports that could link participants to the research.

[Voluntary Participation]
You do not have to perform any activity you do not want to. You do not have to answer any question you do not want to answer. Participation in this study is voluntary. If you decide to participate, you may withdraw from the study at anytime without penalty and without loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

Contact Information:
If there are any questions at any time about the study or the procedures, or you experience adverse effects as a result of participating in this study, please contact:
Prof. Christopher J. Carpenter
Communication Department
(309) 298-1622
Cj-carpenter2@wiu.edu

This project has been reviewed and approved by the WIU Institutional Review Board. Questions concerning your rights as a participant in this research may be directed to IRB Administrator, at (309) 298-1191 or IRB@wiu.edu.
Consent:
I have read the above information, and I have received a copy of this form. I agree to participate in this study. Please click continue below