Informed Consent

Title of Project
       Pilot project of virtual focus group techniques to study Internet use.
 
Researcher
This study is being done by Suzanne Dickerson DNS RN a nurse researcher at University at Buffalo, School of Nursing.
 
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to find out how individuals, 18 and above, use the Internet (i.e. information seeking, message boards, live chat or email). I would like to learn about how and why you use these mediums. I hope, in the future, to be able to suggest uses of Internet for patient support.
 
Procedure
I would like to communicate with you by an online virtual focus group discussion. The virtual focus group will take place on a message board. At the message board's web site, there will be a discussion group of 6 to 8 people. You will answer questions on a discussion list with others like yourself who regularly use the Internet. You will be asked to tell stories of how and why you use the Internet. You can post responses to other group member's stories and discuss the stories during a two week time frame. If you are under the age of 18 you should not participate in this study.
 
Confidentiality
Your names will not be included with any communication record. For the virtual focus group, you will be given a user name at random to keep your identity confidential. When the study is reported to the public, no individual responses will be identified. The records we keep about you in this project may not be revealed except as required by law.
 
Discomfort
We do not feel that you will have any discomfort in answering the questions, however, your participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

The following statement is required by the Human subjects Institutional Review Board: Routinely the Buffalo General Hospital, the Erie County Medical Center and/or the University of Buffalo, its agents or its employees do not compensate for or provide free medical care for human subjects in the event that any injury results from participation in a human research project.


By returning an email to the researcher, I indicate that I have read and understand the following:
  1. If I have any questions about this research I can email or call the researcher Dr. Dickerson at email sdickers@buffalo.edu or (716) 829-3254 from Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm or I can write to her at:
    2.           Dr. Suzanne Dickerson
          914 Kimball Tower
          3435 Main Street
          Buffalo, New York 14214.
  2. If I have questions about my rights as a research subject, I may call the Chairperson of the Human Subjects review committee. The chairperson may be reached at (716) 829-2752 or by writing to:
    3.           Human Subject review committee
          186 Farber Hall
          Buffalo NY 14214.
  3. I can choose to be part of this study or not. Even if I choose to be part of this study, I can withdraw from this study at any time by calling or writing the researcher.
  4. Whether I join this study or not my medical care will not be affected in any way.
  5. I know I can ask questions about this study at any time.
  6. I understand I will not receive any money for being in this study.
  7. I have read the entire contents. I have been told about what will happen in the study and what I am supposed to do.  All my questions have been answered about the study to this point.
  8. I give my consent freely to take part in this study based on the facts given to me as noted in this form.
  9. Your consent will be indicated by your return of a statement indicating consent by email or mail.

Email Dr. Dickerson (sdickers@buffalo.edu) to confirm that you have read this page and consent to the study.

Copy and paste the following into the email message, or print and return via mail to Dr. Dickerson at the address listed above.  After we receive your email consent, we will send a reply giving you your user name, password, and URL to the web site for the virtual focus group.

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I consent to participate in the internet study.

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Years of education:
Hours per week usage of the Internet:

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Back to Internet Study

Last update: August 2000
Comments, Questions? E-mail: sdickers@buffalo.edu