APPENDIX C CONSENT FORM

Information sheet: Perceptions of Available and Accessible Social Support in Female NCAA Division I Athletic Social Networks

Introduction

The purpose of this form is to provide you (as a prospective research study participant) information that may affect your decision as to whether or not to participate in this research.

You have been asked to participate in a research study to explore the perceptions of available and accessible social support in NCAA Division I athletic social networks. The purpose of this study was to examine the ways athletic departments support student- athletes. You were selected to be a possible participant because you are a student-athlete or athletic administrator at ___________________ University.

What will I be asked to do?

If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete one 1-hour interview session to take place during the fall 2010 semester to discuss how the athletic department at ________________ University supports student-athletes. In addition, I may contact you 2-3 weeks after you participate in this study to seek clarification or more information regarding your responses.

Your participation will be audio recorded with your permission. What are the risks involved in this study?

The risks associated with this study are minimal, and are not greater than risks ordinarily encountered in daily life. It is possible that you may feel uncomfortable answering some of the research questions. You may skip any questions that you do not wish to answer. In addition, you may stop answering questions or discontinue participation at any time. If you experience any distress as a result of your participation in this research, you may contact the investigator for counseling referrals, assistance, and resources.

What are the possible benefits of this study?

You will receive no direct benefit from participating in this study; however, the information gathered in this study may aid athletic departments in choosing and providing support for student-athletes.

Do I have to participate?

No. Your participation is voluntary. You may decide not to participate or to withdraw at any time without your current or future relations with ____________ University or the athletic department being affected.

Who will know about my participation in this research study?

This study is confidential. The records of this study will be kept private. No identifiers linking you to this study will be included in any sort of report that might be published. The results of your participation will be confidential and will not be released in any identifiable form with your prior consent unless required by law. Your signature on this form authorizes the use of your data in group analyses that may be prepared for public dissemination without breaching your confidentiality. To accomplish this, you will be assigned a four-digit participation number that will be used on all data collected during your participation in this research. A master list with your name and corresponding code number will be kept separate from testing data and locked at all times. The master list will be destroyed following the interviews and data analysis of participants responses. Research records will be stored securely and only Ami Rothberg, Dr. Akilah Carter, Dr. Elsa Gonzalez, Dr. Patricia Goodson, and Dr. B. E. Pruitt will have access to the records. If you choose to participate in this study, you may choose to be audio recorded. Any audio recordings will be stored securely and only Ami Rothberg, Dr. Akilah Carter, Dr. Elsa Gonzalez, Dr. Patricia Goodson, and Dr. B. E. Pruitt will have access to the recordings. Any recordings will be kept for one year and then erased.

Is there anything else I should consider?

Neither your coaches, nor the athletic department will know of your participation in this study. Your identity will be kept confidential in any reporting of the data.

Whom do I contact with questions about the research?

If you have questions regarding this study or during the course of the project, you may contact Ami Rothberg, (541) 908-1522, [email protected] or Dr. Elsa Gonzalez, (979) 845-1561, [email protected].

Whom do I contact about my rights as a research participant?

This research study has been reviewed by the Human Subjects’ Protection Program and/or the Institutional Review Board at Texas A&M University. For research-related problems or questions regarding your rights as a research participant, you can contact these offices at (979)458-4067 or [email protected].

Participation

Please be sure you have read the above information, asked questions and received answers to your satisfaction. You will be given a copy of the consent form for your records. By signing this document, you consent to participate in the study.

_______ I do not want to be audio recorded.

Signature of Participants: __________________________________________________ Printed:_________________________________________________________________ Date:________________________

Signature of Person Obtaining Consent:_______________________________________ Printed:_________________________________________________________________ Date:________________________

VITA

Name: Ami Lynn Rothberg

Address: Department of Health and Kinesiology c/o Dr. Akilah R. Carter

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX 77843-4243 Email Address: [email protected]

Education: B.S., General Science, Oregon State University, 2007

M.P.E.A.A., Physical Education and Athletic Administration, Idaho State University, 2008