Department of Nursing Informed Consent
Title: African American Women: Gender Beliefs, Peer Perception, Relationship Power, and Sexual Behavior
Principal Investigators: Latrona Ree Lanier, MSN, RN Cecelia Gatson Grindel, PhD, RN
I. Purpose:
You are being asked to volunteer for a research study. The purpose of the study is to explore the sexual behavior of African American women. By sexual behavior we mean the use of a condom by their male partner or their use of a female condom. This includes their role as African American women, the influence of their peers, their perception about their personal power in their relationships with men, and their sexual behavioral
practices. You are being asked to participate because you are an African American woman and 18years of age or older. Your participation will involve only the time it requires you to complete a set of questionnaires. The questionnaires will take up to 45 minutes to complete. We plan for a total of 95participants to complete the questionnaires for this study.
II. Procedures:
If you agree to participate, you will complete a set of questionnaires. The questionnaires will ask you about your sexual behavior and condom use. The data collection process will be a one-time event for each participant. You will have contact with only the principal investigator and approved research personnel during the data collection process. The data collection process will be held in a convenient private location. The questionnaires have no right or wrong answers. What is important is that you answer the questions honestly. A $10 gift card will be given to each participants following completion of the questionnaires.
III. Risks:
There are no risks of physical harm associated with this study. In this study, you will not have any more risks than you would in a normal day of life. Some women may feel uncomfortable about answering questions related to their sexual behaviors. If you feel this way, you may skip those questions. You may stop completing the questionnaires at any time. You have the right not to answer any questions about any topic or part of a topic that makes you feel uncomfortable.
IV. Benefits:
Participation in this study may not benefit you personally. The collected data may lead to new ways to encourage African American women to use safer sex practices. By safer sex practices we mean consistent condom use.
V. Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal:
Participation in this research study is completely voluntary. You do not have to take part in this study. You can stop any time after giving this consent. You have the right to drop out at any time. You may skip questions at any time during the study. You have the right to refuse to be in this study. Whatever you decide, you will not lose any benefits. You will continue to receive benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. VI. Confidentiality:
All information will be kept in a locked cabinet at Darton State College in the office of Latrona Lanier, MSN, RN. Latrona Lanier, MSN, RN; Dr. Cecelia Grindel; and members of the research team will have access to the information you provide. Agencies that make rules and policies about how research is done have the right to access study records. Agencies that pay for the study also have the right to review these records. Those with the right to look at your study records include the Georgia State University (GSU) Institutional Review Board and/or the Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP). Records can also be opened by court order. We will keep your records private to the extent allowed by law. Your name will not be used in this study. We will use a number rather than your name on study information. Other facts that might point to you will not appear when we present or publish the study results. Study results will be reported as group data. Your personal identity will not be disclosed under any conditions.
VII. Contact Persons:
Contact Latrona Lanier, MSN, RN at (229) 317-6826 or [email protected] and/or Cecelia Grindel, PhD, RN at (404) 993-9627 or cgrindel gsu.edu if you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this study. You can also call if you think you have been harmed by the study. Call Susan Vogtner in the Georgia State University Office of
Research Integrity at 404-413-3513 or [email protected] if you want to talk to someone who is not part of the study team. You can also call Susan Vogtner if you have questions or concerns about your rights in this study.
VIII. Copy of Consent Form to Subject:
We will give you a copy of this consent form to keep.
If you are willing to volunteer for this research study and complete the questionnaires, please sign below.
Participant Date
Appendix J
The conduction of the proposed study, from the time the questionnaires are finalized to the time of data analyses completion, will cover a six month timetable.
PLANNED TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION June 2012 July 2012 Aug 2012 Sept 2012 Oct 2012 Nov 2012 Study Procedure Finalized Order Supplies Formulation and Printing of Recruitment Material Finalize and Copy Questionnaires Hire and Train Research Personnel Confirm Data Collection Process with Venues Put up posters and flyers Begin Recruitment Begin Data Collection Data Analysis Data Interpretation Publication Preparation