Levels of Depression in West Massachusetts

Form C: ETHICS SELF-CHECK APPLICATION FOR IRB APPROVAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

Section 1: The researcher must first complete the brown column A of the table below to document how the research procedures comply with the university’s 40 ethical standards for research studies. Mark “Not Applicable” only when there is no possible way to address that ethical issue.

Section 2: Provide electronic signature.

Section 3 (students only): Have your faculty supervisor review this form and supporting documents so they can enter their email address to provide an electronic signature. Then you will need to copy (CC) your supervisor when you submit to [email protected]. The IRB staff cannot accept any IRB forms or documents unless the supervising faculty member is CC’d on the submission.

IRB approval will be issued when the IRB confirms that there is adequate evidence that the university’s ethical standards have been met, based on this form and the necessary supporting attachments. Within 10 business days of receiving a researcher’s submission (including all applicable attachments), the IRB will notify the researcher of one of the following outcomes:

(a) that the IRB has provided ethics approval based on the submitted documents; or

(b) that the IRB requires revisions and/or additional documentation as specified in the Ethics Reviewer’s column (such as column B for the first review or, if needed, column D for the second review).

Questions can be sent to [email protected]. Click here to view IRB policies, sample informed consent documents, and FAQs about conducting research in specialized contexts such as international, workplace, educational, or clinical/intervention settings. The footnotes in this document contain tips, examples, and definitions. Reading these footnotes can reduce the likelihood of needing revisions. The most common request for revisions is to resolve discrepancies so check carefully to ensure that all documents reflect the final set of data collection steps.

SECTION I: RESEARCHER’S CONFIRMATION OF ETHICAL STANDARDS COMPLIANCE

A. In this column, the researcher should confirm compliance with each ethical standard by entering Yes or NA, and defending the response by providing supporting details.

B. Ethics reviewer will confirm compliance with each ethical standard in this column by entering “Confirmed” or providing a request for revisions.

C. Researcher response: The researcher must use this column to describe how and where each of the ethics reviewer’s concerns (in the yellow column) has been addressed. The researcher’s questions or explanations are also appropriate here if a researcher wishes for the IRB to reconsider an issue. For those rows containing “NA” or “Confirmed” in Column B, no researcher response is necessary.

D. Second ethics review (if needed): Ethics reviewer will confirm whether the responses in column C meet the ethical standard by entering “Confirmed” or providing a request for revisions.

E. Researcher’s second response (if needed): The researcher must use this column to describe how and where each of the ethics reviewer’s concerns (in the orange column) has been addressed. Additional columns will be added by the IRB as needed.

Sample: Will data be stored securely?

Sample response: Yes. Supporting details: Paper surveys will be stored in a locked file cabinet at the researcher’s home. Electronic files will be stored on the researcher’s password-protected computer and backed up on a password-protected cloud drive.

Confirmed

1. Has each recruitment, consent, and data collection step been articulated such that the responsibilities of the researcher and any partner organization(s) are clearly documented?

(Provide a numbered list of the data collection steps that includes how/who/where[footnoteRef:1] details for each step, in sequential order. Here are samples. Describe pilot[footnoteRef:2] steps first if you are doing a pilot or road test.) [1: HOW = Write this like a recipe, including enough details so that a person could replicate your study. Submit copies of any of the following that apply: flyer, invitation email, ad/posting.WHO = Which parties are involved in each step? In particular, we need details about any partners who might be assisting the researcher in identifying or contacting participants. Note that doctoral students may not delegate the tasks of obtaining consent or collecting data to anyone else.WHERE = Specify whether the interactions will take place via phone, email, online, or in-person at a specific location.] [2: It is fine to road test an interview or survey with friends or family prior to IRB approval and that data may not be used in the study’s analysis. However, any piloting done outside of friends/family requires prior IRB approval, regardless of whether the data would be included in the final analysis or not.]

Yes, steps are described below:

i. Plot recruitment

Researcher will post flyers around mental health offices, retirement homes, and hospitals inviting social workers to participate in the study. The additional method will be handing out flyers to social workers attending conventions, training, and programs within the area. The flyer will have the researcher's email address where they can contact the researcher to volunteer.

ii. Consent

Each volunteer will receive the consent form via email. Volunteers willing to participate in the study will reply to the email with the words, “I consent”.

iii. Data collection

Researcher will conduct the interviews using internet services like GoToMeeting, Skype, Zoom, or any other web-based service. Debriefing will involve asking the volunteers whether the questions were comfortable and understandable to answer. Each interview session will last about 45 minutes.

Confirmed

Confirm

2. Will the research procedures ensure privacy[footnoteRef:3] during data collection? Describe how. [3: Privacy risks might include unintended breach of confidential information (such as educational or medical records); being observed/overheard by others while providing data; or intrusion on the privacy of others who not involved in study (e.g. participant’s family).]

Yes, all the interview will be conducted in a secluded room where both the researcher in interviewee had agreed upon prior to the data collection date.

Please provide an idea of where this location might be, i.e., McDonalds, school cafeteria, office, etc.

Yes, all the interviews will be conducted in a secluded room where both the researcher and interviewee had agreed upon prior to the data collection date. The proposed secluded room will be an enclosed office. The office should be locked with a key before the interview begins.

3. Will data be stored securely[footnoteRef:4]? Describe how. [4: Secure data storage requires password protection on electronic files and locks for physical data.]

Yes, data will be kept secure by storing all the data collected in a cloud-based storage system where access is protected using two step authentications.

Confirmed, as addressed in consent form

4. Will the data be stored for at least 5 years? Describe how data disposal will occur.

Yes. Data disposal will involve the destruction of non-electronic media using secure means like shredders, incinerators, and pulverizes. All electronic media will be destroyed deleting and overwriting the storage media, purging magnetic media, and destroying the physical media.

Confirmed, as addressed in consent form

5. If participants’ names or contact info will be recorded in the research records, are they absolutely necessary[footnoteRef:5]? Describe why or clarify that data collection is 100% anonymous[footnoteRef:6] (which is preferable). [5: Retaining identifiers and/or contact information might be necessary if the researcher needs to follow up for a memberchecking step. Note that consent forms do not require signatures if the participant can indicate consent by some action such as clicking on a link, returning a completed survey, etc. Whenever possible, data should be collected without names or other identifiers.] [6: “Anonymous” means that no one (not even the researcher) knows who volunteered or declined. If a researcher documents consent in a manner that tracks their names, then the data is “confidential” rather than “anonymous.”]

The data collection is 100% anonymous.

Please explain why. Describes the steps.

The data collection is 100% anonymous. The researcher will request the participants to use pseudo names and not to provide any identifiable information during the interview. Each volunteer will be assigned a unique number that will be linked to their interview, ensuring records are well kept and no mixing of interviews.

6. The research procedures and analysis/writeup plans must include all possible measures to ensure that participant identities are not directly or indirectly disclosed.

a. Only for research topics that possibly involve some stigma (i.e., workplace bullying): Can you confirm that the volunteering and data collection process will not result in others learning of your volunteers’ participation in the study?

Yes, there is no possibility of others learning of the people who participated in the study. The volunteers will be requested to keep their participation private and not disclose it to anyone.

Repeat confidentiality. Info that applies.

Yes, there is no possibility of others learning of the people who participated in the study. The volunteers will be requested to keep their participation private and not disclose it to anyone. This researcher will not be collecting any identifiable information from the participants. All participants will be assigned a unique number that will be used to identify them. The participants will be requested to not mention their actual names or those of their clients.

b. For all topics: If participant demographic details (i.e., age, ethnicity, number of years in a position) are going to be shared in the final results, will they be shared in a manner that will not render certain participants identifiable[footnoteRef:7]? [7: Participant identities might be indirectly and unintentionally disclosed if a researcher’s final research report fails to withhold demographic details or site descriptions that might permit a reader to deduce the identity of a participant. So the researcher needs to think about which demographic descriptors are most important to collect and report, while ensuring that the identity of individual participants is protected. For example, readers may be able to deduce a participant’s identity if a qualitative analysis stated, “One African-American vice-principal with 14 years of administrative experience described her professional development experience as…” A general rule of thumb is to only include a particular demographic descriptor combination if at least 3 people have that combination of demographic details. So if a district had 4 African-American vice-principals with 10+ years experience but only 2 were female, then an appropriate demographic description would be: “One African-American vice-principal with 10+ years of administrative experience described the professional development experience as…”]

Yes, the only information that will be shared is the number of years a participant has worked in the Metro West Massachusetts area.

There is probably more identifiable information, particularly for inclusion perposes. Explain how you will keep that information secure. Are you using fake names, pseudonyms?

Yes, the only information that will be shared is the number of years a participant has worked in the Metro West Massachusetts area. There might be a possibility of having a participants name and this will be excluded from any published records. The only place identifiable information could be found is in the interview recording. In case, a participant offers their name, it will be replaced with a pseudonym to hide their identity during transcription.

c. For all topics: The standard for Walden capstones is to not name the partner organization in published reports, including ProQuest. Will you mask the identity of any partner organizations that are playing a role in data collection and/or recruitment of potential participants?

Exceptions to the organization-masking practice must be granted by the Program Director and approved by the IRB. Place an X here if you were granted an exception as part of your prospectus approval.

NA. Researcher will not be using any partner organizations.

Confirmed

7. Will confidentiality agreements[footnoteRef:8] be signed by anyone[footnoteRef:9] who may view data that that contains identifiers? (e.g., transcriber, translator) If so, submit a blank copy. If only the researcher and Walden faculty/staff will view the raw data, then enter NA. [8: A sample confidentiality agreement can be found here.] [9: Confidentiality agreements are required for transcribers or translators but not for the researcher or Walden faculty/staff (who are all automatically bound to confidentiality). Some professional transcribers/statisticians/etc address confidentiality in their work agreement and this is acceptable.]

NA

Confirmed

8. The ProQuest publication at the end of the doctoral program is for the academic community. Is a specific plan[footnoteRef:10] in place for sharing results with the participants and community stakeholders? Describe. [10: Sharing the study’s results with participants is required. It is important that the format is audience-appropriate. Stakeholders may lack the time or inclination to digest a full dissertation. Typically, a 1 to 2 page summary or verbal presentation is most appropriate. Note, member checking and transcript review are not applicable to this section. If you plan to do transcript review or memberchecking, these steps need to be described as part of your data collection procedures in #1 above.]

Yes, the researcher will share the overall results by emailing the participants a link to the study's summary.

Confirmed

9. Social science research typically involves minimal[footnoteRef:11] risks and sometimes involves substantial[footnoteRef:12] risks. Those risks must be acknowledged and described in order to mitigate them and document that they are outweighed by the study’s benefits (in #12 below). [11: Minimal risk is defined as follows in U.S. federal regulations: “that the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves THAN THOSE ORDINARILY ENCOUNTERED IN DAILY LIFE or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.” ] [12: Substantial risk is anything beyond the “minimal risks” of daily life. Substantial risks are acceptable when justified by the research problem and research design, as long as adequate preventive protections are in place.]

a. Are potential psychological[footnoteRef:13] risks acknowledged and described here? [13: Psychological risks are present if materials or questions could be considered embarrassing, stressful, sensitive, offensive, threatening, judgmental, triggering, etc. Psychological risks are typically present if any of the other risks below are also present. SAMPLE DESCRIPTION: Some participants might disclose things that they later regret sharing, causing mild distress.]

Mark one:

X NA

Minimal psychological risks include:

Substantial psychological risks include:

Confirmed

b. Are potential relationship[footnoteRef:14] risks acknowledged and described here? [14: Relationship risks are present if the recruitment or data collection process could impact the existing dynamics between the researcher and participant (who may be coworkers or have some professional relationship), dynamics among participants (if they know one another), or dynamics between the participant and the participant’s friends, coworkers, or family members. SAMPLE DESCRIPTION: Since I am recruiting people I know professionally, they might have concerns about how volunteering or declining could impact our professional relationship.]

Mark one:

NA

X Minimal relationship risks include: The researcher might be known to some of the participants, which will influence their decision to participate in the study.

Substantial relationship risks include:

Confirmed

c. Are potential legal[footnoteRef:15] risks acknowledged and described here? [15: Legal risks are present if data collection might result in a participant’s disclosure of violation of laws (by the participant or others). SAMPLE DESCRIPTION: Participants could inadvertently disclose a legal violation during the course of the interview.]

Mark one:

X NA

Minimal legal risks include:

Substantial legal psychological risks include:

Confirmed

d. Are potential economic/professional[footnoteRef:16] risks acknowledged and described here? [16: Economic/professional risks are present if data collection could result in the participant disclosing violation of workplace policies, disagreement with leadership decisions, poor work performance, or anything else that could be damaging to the participant’s position, professional reputation, promotability, or employability. SAMPLE DESCRIPTION: Since the questionnaire asks participants to rate their agreement with leadership decisions in their workplace, there could be an impact on a participant’s promotion opportunities if there were a confidentiality breach.]

Mark one:

NA

X Minimal professional risks include: There are chances the participants will disclose information indicating they were unable to professional perform their work due to cultural bias or language barriers.

Substantial professional risks include:

Confirmed

e. If there are any other potential risks, have they been acknowledged and described here?

Mark one:

X NA

Other minimal risks include:

Other substantial risks include:

Confirmed

10. Have the above risks been minimized as much as possible? In other words, are measures in place to provide participants with reasonable protection from loss of privacy, psychological distress, relationship harm, legal risks, economic loss, and damage to professional reputation? In the brown column, explain how each risk identified in #9 above will be minimized.

NA

Confirmed

11. Will the researcher be proactively managing any potential conflicts of interest[footnoteRef:17] (particularly when researcher is known to the participants in some professional role)? Describe how. [17: A conflict of interest is caused when the researcher has some sort of dual role in the research context, such as being a teacher, therapist, investor, business-owner, manager, etc. Conflict of interest must be managed to ensure that the research reveals “truth,” not just the outcome that the researcher might desire to see due to their other role. The simplest way to ensure this impartiality is to conduct research OUTSIDE of one’s own context but other methods are possible (e.g., using anonymous data collection to encourage honest responses).]

Yes, there might be some participants who might have worked with or are familiar to the researcher. However, since the interviews will be conducted over internet services, conflicts will be eliminated since the researcher will not know the actual participant only their assigned number.

No clear. You will still see the people you worked with or know. If there will be not conflict of interest, clearly state it and why.

Yes, there might be some participants who might have worked with or are familiar to the researcher. There will be no conflict of interest since the researcher will not get personal when conducting the interview and he will keep professional to ensure the participants respond appropriately and genuinely to the questions.

12. Are the research risks and burdens[footnoteRef:18] reasonable, in consideration of the new knowledge[footnoteRef:19] that this research design can offer? Describe why. [18: All research activities place some degree of burden on the participants by asking the participants to share personal information, volunteer time, and assume risks.] [19: Examples of “new knowledge” include: effectively addressing a gap in the literature, generating new theory, enhancing understanding of a phenomenon, assessing effectiveness of a particular professional practice, addressing a local practical problem via data analysis.]

Yes, the research risks are reasonable in consideration. The results of the study will assist other social workers to formulate new service modification needed to meet the needs of the African immigrant women located in Metro West Massachusetts

Confirmed

13.Will[footnoteRef:20] the research partner organization(s) grant permission[footnoteRef:21] for all relevant data[footnoteRef:22] access, access to participants, facility use, and/or use of personnel time for research purposes? IRB staff will advise which type of partner agreement is needed, if any. State whether you will be obtaining written partner organization approval before or after Walden IRB approval. [20: If a partner organization requires the researcher to obtain Walden’s IRB approval before they can provide their written approval, that’s fine. (Walden can issue a “conditional IRB approval” letter to the researcher and then Walden’s IRB approval will then be finalized once the Walden IRB receives the partner organization’s letter of cooperation.)] [21: No Letter of Cooperation is required (a) if the researcher will simply be asking organizations to distribute research invitations on the researcher’s behalf, or (b) if the researcher is using only public means to identify/contact participants. ] [22: Note that when medical, educational, or any type of operational records would be analyzed or used to identify potential research participants, the partner organization needs to explicitly approve access to data for research purposes (even if the researcher normally has access to that data to perform their job).]

NA

Confirmed

14. Is participant recruitment coordinated in a manner that is non-coercive[footnoteRef:23]? Describe. Coercive elements include: leveraging an existing relationship to “encourage” participation, recruiting in a group[footnoteRef:24] setting, extravagant compensation, recruiting individuals in a school/work[footnoteRef:25] setting, involving a service provider[footnoteRef:26] in the recruitment process, etc. A researcher must disclose here whether/how the researcher may already be known to the participants and explain how perceptions of coerced research participation will be minimized[footnoteRef:27]. [23: For example, anonymous surveys and/or low-pressure communications such as email invitations permit potential participants to opt out with minimal fear of retaliation or other negative consequences.] [24: It is not ethically acceptable to invite a “captive audience” to participate in research on the spot (i.e., to ask an entire class or a group of meeting attendees to complete a survey during their session). Such a dynamic would not provide sufficient privacy or respect for their right to decline research participation. However, a researcher may use the last few minutes of a class session or meeting to introduce a study and distribute materials, such that the potential participants can then take their time to decide later about participation. ] [25: Generally, data collection cannot be approved during work hours or school hours unless a “free period” has been identified (e.g., break, study hall) so the research activities can be separated from the participants’ regular activities. It is important to maintain an “opt in” dynamic rather than implying that employees/students/group members are expected to participate.] [26: A researcher can ask a service provider (nurse, physician, therapist, etc.) or an aid provider (shelter staff) to give research invitations to clients who meet the inclusion criteria. However, we cannot approve for the service/aid provider to answer questions about the study, obtain consent, or collect data (unless the data is being collected by the organization itself for purposes other than the study).] [27: Doctoral research directly benefits the student (allowing him or her to obtain a degree), and so the researcher should minimize the potential for either (a) conflict of interest or (b) perceived coercion to participate. Researchers who are in positions of authority or familiarity must take extra precautions to ensure that potential participants are not pressured to take part in their study. EXAMPLES:A professor researcher may recruit her students AFTER grades have been assigned.A psychologist researcher may recruit clients from ANOTHER psychologist’s practice.A manager researcher may conduct ANONYMOUS data collection so that subordinates do not perceive their responses or [non]participation as being associated with their job standing.]

Yes, it is. The recruitment process requires the volunteers to submit their interest by emailing the researcher. Therefore, there is no coercion taking place and the researcher will not know who refused and who accepted to participate in the study.

They will also be responding to a posted flyer, thereby having no interactions with the researcher.

Yes, it is. The recruitment process requires the volunteers to submit their interest by emailing the researcher. Therefore, there is no coercion taking place and the researcher will not know who refused and who accepted to participate in the study. The participants will also be responding to a posted flyer, therefore, there will be no interactions with the researcher.

15. If you were directed to complete Form D in order to specifically recruit certain vulnerable individuals[footnoteRef:28] as participants, answer the following question: Is targeting this population justified[footnoteRef:29] by a research design that will specifically benefit that vulnerable group at large? Describe why. [28: For this purpose, vulnerable individuals include children, prisoners, people with cognitive impairments, on-duty military personnel, people living in an institutional setting such as a prison, inpatient care, rehab center, or shelter.] [29: Convenience sampling is not approvable. Targeted recruitment of children as participants can only be approved when a majority of the IRB votes that the study’s benefits justify its risks/costs (such as disruption to instructional time). For recruitment of adult vulnerable populations, IRB staff will determine on a case-by-case basis whether approval must be issued via the full board’s vote (as opposed to expedited ethics review).]

If you were not directed to complete Form D, enter NA.

NA

Confirmed

16. All samples could potentially include adults who are vulnerable[footnoteRef:30] (without the researcher’s awareness) and it is important to include their perspectives. Would the benefits of including these individuals outweigh the risks? [30: It is ethically appropriate to include certain vulnerable adult populations if screening for that particular status would be overly invasive, given the research topic. For example, a researcher might unknowingly have participants who happen to be pregnant, residents of a facility, low-income, mentally/emotionally disabled, victims of a crisis, or elderly. We don’t expect researchers to screen for these statuses routinely for minimal risk research. However, minors may never be unknowingly recruited; adult recruitment procedures must deliberately avoid recruiting minors and/or include a reliable way of discerning that participants are 18 or older.]

Yes, there might be elderly social workers experienced in working with elderly African immigrants and they would offer vital insights on how they have managed to offer services to the immigrants. The information obtained from them would contribute significant data that cannot be obtained from the other social workers.

There are no vulnerable adults participating in this study. You are not interviewing the clients.

There will be no vulnerable adults taking part in the study. The study is focusing on social workers and not the clients.

17. If anyone would be excluded from participating, is their exclusion justified? Is their exclusion handled respectfully and without stigma[footnoteRef:31]? Describe. [31: When a study has exclusion criteria, they should be listed upfront in the recruitment material (flyer, invitation email,etc.) or consent form to prevent situations in which the researcher rejects volunteers in a stigmatizing manner.]

Yes, the study participants need to meet a set criterion. Therefore, anyone who does not meet the criteria would be respectfully excluded and there will be no stigma.

Confirmed

18. If the research procedures might reveal criminal activity or child/elder abuse that necessitates[footnoteRef:32] reporting, are there suitable procedures in place for managing this? Describe. [32: Typically, researchers only break confidentiality when they are LEGALLY REQUIRED to report certain information to authorities. Mandated reporting requirements in the USA vary by state so researchers will need to make themselves aware of state requirements. (Typically, mandated reporting only applies to researchers in professions that involve a sworn oath such as police officers or professions with licensure requirements, such as teachers and some other care providers.) Outside of mandated reporting, researchers are expected to maintain confidentiality. Any professional limits to confidentiality (i.e., duty to report) must be mentioned in the consent form. ]

NA

If the workers mention that the elderly African immigrant clients are being abused, what steps are you going to take to report it.

Any case of abuse will be reported to the proper authorities. The first step will be to seek further information from the social worker about the client. With the information, a formal report can be made to the State office or on their website.

19. If the research procedures might reveal or create an acute psychological state that necessitates referral, are there suitable procedures[footnoteRef:33] in place to manage this? Describe. [33: At minimum, the consent form should describe a free or low-cost referral to a support resource when it is possible that the study activities may cause distress.]

NA

Confirmed

20. If the research design has multiple groups, are measures in place to ensure that all participants can potentially benefit equally[footnoteRef:34] from the research? Describe how. [34: Control groups must be eligible to partake in the intervention after the study, if results show the intervention to be beneficial. If the design does not involve a control group, then the researcher only needs to ensure that all participants have equal access to the study results.]

Yes, all the study participants will receive an email with the study summary after completion and publication of the study results.

They will be asked the same questions and you will use the same procedures.

Yes, all the study participants will be asked the same questions and you will use the same procedures. They will also receive an email with the study summary after completion and publication of the study results.

21. Applicable for all student researchers: Will this researcher be appropriately qualified[footnoteRef:35] and supervised[footnoteRef:36] in all data collection procedures? Describe how[footnoteRef:37]. [35: Researchers must be able to document their training in the data collection techniques and the IRB might require the researcher to obtain additional training prior to ethics approval. For most student researchers, the research course sequence is sufficient but some research procedures (such as interviewing people with mental disabilities) may require additional training. For psychological assessments, the manual indicates specific qualifications required. Data collection from children requires a background check/clearance through a local agency.] [36: Remote supervision is suitable for most studies but onsite supervision may be required for certain types of sensitive data collection (e.g., interviews or assessment regarding emotional topics).] [37: If your study is targeting a vulnerable population or involves a sensitive topic, describe any additional training or experience beyond the research courses and ethics training you have completed.]

Yes.

How?

The researcher has undergone the requisite course training to conduct the proposed study. There will be remote supervision by my supervisor, who will ensure I am following the correct procedures when conducting the study. The study does not target any vulnerable population and will not involve a sensitive topic.

22. If an existing survey or other data collection tool will be used, has the researcher appropriately complied with the requirements[footnoteRef:38] for legal usage? Describe how and submit relevant documentation. [38: IF YOU ARE USING A PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT: Many assessment instruments published in journals can be used in research as long as commercial gain is not sought and proper credit is given to the original source (United States Code, 17USC107). However, publication of an assessment tool’s results in a journal does not necessarily indicate that the tool is in the public domain. The copyright holder of each assessment determines whether permission and payment are necessary for use of that assessment tool. Note that the copyright holder could be either the publisher or the author or another entity (such as the Myers and Briggs Foundation, which holds the copyright to the popular Myers-Briggs personality assessment). The researcher is responsible for identifying and contacting the copyright holder to determine which of the following are required for legal usage of the instrument: purchasing legal copies, purchasing a manual, purchasing scoring tools, obtaining written permission, obtaining explicit permission to reproduce the instrument in the dissertation, or simply confirming that the tool is public domain and providing credit by citation. Even for public domain instruments, Walden University encourages students to provide the professional courtesy of notifying the primary author of the student’s plan to use that tool in their own research. Sometimes this is not possible or there is no response. We recommend that the student make at least three attempts to contact the author at his or her most recently listed institution across a reasonable time period (such as 2 weeks). The author often provides helpful updates or usage tips and asks to receive a copy of the results. This type of communication with the author is not necessary when a website or publisher clearly states that the tool is public domain or can be used for academic/research purposes. Some psychological assessments are restricted for use only by suitably qualified individuals and these requirements are typically covered in the assessment’s manual. When in doubt, researchers must check with the assessment’s publisher to make sure that the student (or their faculty supervisor) is qualified to administer and interpret any particular assessments that they wish to use. IF YOU ARE CREATING YOUR OWN INSTRUMENT OR MODIFYING AN EXISTING INSTRUMENT: It is only acceptable to modify data collection tools if one explicitly cites the original work and details the precise nature of the revisions. Note that even slight modifications to items or instructions threaten the reliability and validity of the tool and make comparisons to other research findings difficult, if not impossible.]

NA

Confirmed

Questions 23-40 pertain to the process of ensuring that potential participants make an informed decision about the study, in accordance with the ethical principle of “respect for persons.”

23. Do the informed consent[footnoteRef:39] procedures provide adequate time to review the study information and ask questions before giving consent? [39: Informed consent is not just a form; it is a process of explaining the study to the participant and encouraging questions before the participant makes a decision about participation. The IRB website provides an informed consent form template that researchers are invited (but not required) to use.]

Yes.

Explain the process?

The researcher will give the participants at least 48 hours to review the information provided before signing off on participation. The researcher will be available to the potential research participants to answer any questions they might have. Ensuring the study participants receive all the assistance and support they need before giving their consent to participate in the study.

24. Will informed consent be appropriately[footnoteRef:40] documented? [40: While documenting consent via signature is common, note that anonymous surveys can obtain “implied consent” by informing the participant, “To protect your privacy, no consent signature is requested. Instead, you may indicate your consent by clicking here/returning this survey in the enclosed envelope.”) See posted sample consent form for email options.]

Yes, the study participants are only required to reply to the email with the words “I consent”.

Confirmed

25. Has the consent form template been tailored using language that will be understandable[footnoteRef:41] to the potential participants? [41: Walden encourages tailoring the language to the readers as long as a professional tone is maintained. For the general population in the USA, aim for grade 5 to 7 reading level.]

Yes. The consent form uses English as standard language, which is understandable by all volunteers.

Confirmed

26. Does the consent form explain the sample’s inclusion criteria in such a way that the participants can understand why THEY are being asked to participate?