Tip Sheet Examples

NOTE: These examples have been modified from their original submission on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institutional Review Board form (topics have been changed, backgrounds of the subjects, etc.).

Summarize the Research (7)

The objective of this research is to examine the nature of Peruvian American parents' relationships with public schools and to seek out ways these relationships may affect Peruvian students' educational experiences. First, while some academic literature has addressed the educational experiences of specific South American groups, such as Brazilian immigrants, very seldom has focus been placed upon the educational experiences of Peruvian Americans. Through in-depth interviews with a small number (6-7) of Peruvian American parents of children in American public schools, my research will attempt to shed light upon this topic using the voices and lived experiences of Peruvian Americans themselves. In doing so I will explore the educational culture of Peruvian Americans, specifically the attitudes and values individuals associate with their educational experiences. Specific research questions I will address include: How do individuals in Peruvian American ethnic group define the term "education"; what concepts of self and identity do Peruvian American students have that might affect educational experience; and what do Peruvian American parents perceive to be the purpose or goal of educational work?

A second objective of my research is to explore the educational culture(s) of Peruvian Americans in a structural context. Much of the literature devoted to South American education still situates itself in a predominately cultural context which seeks out culturally based explanations for South American students' educational experiences and performance. A goal of my research is to illuminate these experiences while taking into account the complicated relationship between ethnic culture and educational culture as they are shaped and confined by immigration, class and race. Specific research questions I seek to answer include: How well can Peruvian American parents navigate the American educational system; what socio-economic constraints do Peruvian Americans face that might affect educational experiences; and what racial constraints do Peruvian Americans face that might affect educational experience?

The importance of such an investigation is to expand the work of understanding Peruvian Americans' educational experiences both in cultural and structural contexts. It seeks to elucidate the varied constraints Peruvian Americans face within the American public education system and to determine how to serve Peruvian Americans in loosening these constraints.

Normative data in regard to maximum phonation time of school age children will be obtained.

Objectives:
1. 120 school-age children without speech and/or voice disorders will participate.
2. The participant's maximum phonation time will be measured with a stopwatch and with a computer software program (PRATT). The participants' weight and height will be obtained using a scale and a measuring tape/yard stick.
3. The primary objective is to test the hypothesis that as children age and grow, measured by height and weight, their maximum phonation time will increase.
4. A second objective will be to compare accuracy of measurement with a stopwatch versus digital recording.

Significance: The significance of this research project is to provide normative data that does not currently exist in relation to how height and weight affect phonatory abilities. The data obtained using a digital recording software (PRATT) will be compared to the data obtained using a stopwatch to determine accuracy between the two measures without relation to the participant's height and weight.

Anecdotes of the experience of [health condition] increasingly appear in books, newspapers, websites and television. Surprisingly, these personal accounts vary not only in details, but in the most basic explanations for where [ the health condition] comes from and in the evaluations of treatment available. For instance, a large number of people claim drugs benefit their quality of life immensely, while another large number claim the reverse--that these drugs have harmed them in some way. Given the increasing number of people experiencing and being treated for [the health condition], it is important to better understand why accounts diverge so much. Clearly, physiological difference (metabolisms, etc.) may account for a part of the difference; so also may vast differences in social support greatly impact the different experiences of individuals [who experience the health condition]. Both these factors continue to receive abundant attention among researchers. There is reason to believe, however, that something more than social or biological differences contributes to vastly different accounts. Cancer patients, for instance, while experiencing different physiological and social contributions, do not demonstrate the widely disparate accounts as seen with patients [who have this health condition].

This study aims to understand another contributor to variation in stories of the different ways individuals [who have this health condition] come to organize and interpret their experiences. This research will explore this issue by investigating three questions: What are the nature of these different stories? How do these stories arise? And how are these stories maintained over time? By understanding the way individuals frame their experiences of [this health condition] differently, it is hoped that more effective ways of responding to this condition may be developed.

This evaluation project will assess the immediate and six month impact of an interactive theatre presentation and discussion on [targeted health problem] issues on 2003, 2004 and 2005 incoming first year students. Impact will be assessed in terms of students' awareness of the campus culture [related to the health problem], self-reported self efficacy in asserting personal beliefs about the importance of safe and responsible behavior, and commitment to alter elements of the campus culture towards a collective sense of responsibility [related to the health problem].

In 2005, half of the incoming first year students will have the opportunity to attend one of 12 theatre performances at the beginning of the fall semester. The theatrical performance will explore potential social and behavioral challenges that will impact the health, safety and academic success of students directly related to their choices [concerning the targeted health behavior]. Following attendance at the performance, these students will have an opportunity to participate in a peer-facilitated discussion to explore outcomes of such choices. (Copy of script attached.)

Immediately following the presentation, both the attendees and first year students not having an opportunity to attend will be encouraged by their Residential Advisor to complete an on-line questionnaire (copy attached). A similar process will be used to obtain student input 6 months after attending the program.

Responses to surveys post-presentation will be compared between the attendees and nonattendees to determine impact of the program on student's perceptions of [the health problem] and the importance of shifting campus cultural norms regarding [the targeted health problem].

Recruiting Procedures (10A)

Because the aim of this research is to examine the educational experiences of Peruvian Americans, subjects used for interviews will be selected based on their membership in the Peruvian American ethnic group. I plan to use the recruitment method of "snowballing" wherein I will speak to people with whom I already have relationships and then ask these individuals to refer me to other members in the community with whom they have contact. Specific individuals with whom I already have relationships include family members and family friends. I will also contact a local organization [states organization] for referrel of Peruvian American individuals. As the researcher, I will be responsible for contacting subjects for interviews, mainly through telephone calls and e-mails, and for arranging times for these interviews.

The overall recruitment aim for the study will be to gather *diverse* experiences of [a specific health condition] --in particular, ranging from very positive to very negative evaluations of traditional health care. Broadly, this may include anyone who has experienced [this health condition] at some time in his/her life, regardless of degree of exposure and involvement in the system. In other words, there is no requirement that participants have experience being formally diagnosed or treated for [this health condition]. Some may have only felt they have been affected, but have never received treatment from a medical practitioner. Given the prevalence of this health condition, finding subjects for this study is not anticipated as being difficult. In order to reach the full range of stories, organizations advocating for and dissenting from different types of care will be contacted in Oregon (the primary site for summer research) [states organizations] (see letters of support--attached in Appendix A). The purpose of these organizations is to educate about their particular perspective on treatment. Given this, each of these organizations include networks of people with stories to tell. Organization leaders will be invited to contact possible participants in their networks, briefly describe the research and invite their participation. Flyers will be provided with information about the study and contact information of the primary investigator (see Appendix B, "Protocol for research participant solicitation" and "Research recruitment flyer"). Ten dollars will be offered as a small token of appreciation for participation of individuals in the research. Exclusion criteria will assure that each participant is sufficiently stable--and not currently fighting symptoms of this health condition (See Section 11).

This same pattern will be followed with other community contacts--inviting each contact to a) share information with others, b) invite the participation of these others in the research and c) leave a flyer with them. This same information, invitation and flyer will also be given at the close of each interview as well ('snowballing'). Finally, the same flyer will be posted on available community bulletin boards--libraries, coffee shops, etc.

To identify informants (interviewees), I will contact public, private, and non-profit organizations, and individuals by phone or via personal visit (key contacts) that were (or are) involved in the management of the targeted neighborhood. I will provide them with a copy of my masters' thesis proposal whenever necessary and a copy of the consent form.

Approximately half of the first year students will be informed of their assigned theatrical performance and discussion through an e-mail notification sent from the researchers. The messages are designed to notify students of their requirement to attend the program if they reside in one of the housing units selected for participation for Fall 2005. RA's for these units will provide encouragement to attend the program, as well as to complete the on-line questionnaires when notified of opportunity via email.

The remaining half of the incoming Freshmen who are not invited to participate in the presentations will receive email notification of the opportunity to participate in two on-line questionnaires of first year students' campus experience with [the targeted campus health problem]. RA's for these units will encourage their residents to complete the on-line survey (copy attached).

Students enrolled in ***494 (Qualitative Research Methods) will be invited to participate in the investigation during the first day of class. Approximately 15 minutes will be spent explaining the study and answering student questions. After the study is explained, I (as the course instructor) will leave the room. A graduate research assistant will ask those students who agree to participate to sign an informed consent form. The investigator will not know which students agree to participate until after the course has ended and all grades have been submitted.

Withheld Information (10B)

10B. Withheld Information:

We will withhold from telling participants about the true purpose of the experimental aggression study, in which we measure the level of participants? bogus shock intensities administered to a confederate of the experiment. They will be told that researchers are interested in the effects of interruptions on supervisor and employee performance on their respective tasks. Withholding information as to the true purpose of the study is necessary because it is the only way to assure that participants? responses on the aggression experiment are valid and reliable. If participants know the real purpose of the study, some of them may behave in ways that a) allow them to appear in the most favorable light (i.e., they will act non-aggressive), and/or b) are consistent with the researcher's hypotheses, instead of responding as they normally would. Alternative procedures would involve looking at relationships between aggression and emotion via self-report measures of these constructs. Although studies using self-report measures can yield interesting data, experimental aggression studies are imperative in being able to understand cause and effect relationships, and more reliably identifying at-risk individuals. . . . . .

Subjects will know that they are participating in a study of the German or French intonational system. After the recording process I will be free to explain more about the specifics of the project by showing on the computer some examples of what is being studied. This is done this way in order to avoid an artificial pronunciation.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria (11)

All children in the Grades 2, 4, 10, and 12 will be given consent forms to take home to their guardian/parent asking permission for their child to participate voluntarily in a research study. All children who consent will participate in this study. Children who demonstrate a speech, language, or voice disorder and/or have asthma will later be excluded from the study. The investigator will exclude children from the study if they are on the rosters of the building?s speech/language pathologists. In addition, the parents will indicate on the consent form if their child is/has received speech therapy or if their child has/does not have asthma.

All first year students residing in the campus housing units selected for the pilot year of the program will be mandated to participate in the program. Students 18 and older will be eligible to complete the on-line questionnaire. The questionnaire will be designed as in previous on-line questionnaires to query the student as to their age. If the student verifies that they are at least 18 years old, the student will then be taken to the set of questions asked about campus culture [related to the targeted health problem], etc. If the student verfies that they are 17 years old or younger, or does not verify their age, then the questionnaire will not be available to the student for completion.

Aims of the study do not require systematic procedures assuring equitable selection across any particular social demographic. That is, the sampling frame is broad and cuts across most major categories of difference. For this reason, with the exception of age (youth and children excluded), deliberate choices in targeting or avoiding a particular group based on gender, race or cultural/religious background will not be necessary.

In addition, the research design does not call for any vulnerable groups to be targeted specifically. Although persons recruited for research may have incidentally been in contact with professionals recently regarding their [health condition], when this contact constitutes a regular ongoing treatment for [their health condition], the person will be excluded from the study (see part 2 in same section and 21A 'Risks'). As noted above, another criterion for participation is being older than 17 years old (not a youth or child). No other specific criteria for exclusion or inclusion exist.

2) As noted in 10A, the primary criterion for inclusion in the research is having experienced [the targeted health condition] at some point and in some degree. "Official diagnosis" of a particular kind of [health condition] is not an issue for this study, with any degree or quality of reported level is sufficient to be included as a participant. Reported experience will typically, but not necessarily, be in the past. Although participants continuing to fight [this health condition] in mild degrees will not be excluded, when the current distress is of a serious degree, the person will be excluded from the study (see next question). The goal of the following protocol will be to only include participants who are currently stable--not currently fighting the [symptoms of this health condition].

3) Measures and protocols for screening: While formal criteria are limited and no official diagnosis of [of this health condition] is needed, the following basic protocol will be used to systematically exclude persons who are currently experiencing [the health condition] to a significant degree (see Appendix C)

Twenty subjects, with equal numbers of men and women, will be recruited for each of the four test groups. Subjects will be categorized by age: young (18-30 years), middle-aged (40-60 years), and older adults (65 and over). Furthermore, older adults will be stratified into ?low active? and ?high active? categories. Physical activity level will be determined by self-report during an initial phone screen questionnaire (see attached). All subjects will be asked about activity level on a 6-point Likert scale, where 1= ?no physical activity to 6=?hard or very hard exercise regularly and several times a week?. Older adults scoring 1-3 will be classified Low Active.

We will exclude individuals with balance or gait impairments, and require the use of assistive devices to walk (e.g., canes, crutches, walkers, bracers), based on self-report during the initial phone screen questionnaire.

Research Procedures (12)

The students that volunteer to participate in the study will be informed of the procedures. The investigator will explain that they need to produce [the target behavior] for as long as they can, and the investigator will demonstrate for each participant. Assent from the participants will be obtained before the study begins through oral (if under 10 years of age) or written consent to ensure they are willing to participate in the study. The participants will then be asked if they understand and if they have any questions. The maximum [target behavior production] time will be obtained three times for each participant. In addition, the participants will be weighed and measured. These activities will be conducted in a vacant office/room that is available. The study should take no longer than 15 minutes per child. The activities may take place during a time determined by the teacher. Students will be taken one at a time. All other children will remain in the classroom participating in the regular classroom activities.

Participants will be contacted directly by the investigator and invited to participate in an interview at a time and location convenient to them. At this time, a short screening protocol will be used to assure that individuals are not currently fighting [the targeted health condition]. The interview will likely take place at a place of residence or other setting chosen by the participant. Before the interview, consent forms will be given and explained. Individual interviews will take place face-to-face and be recorded (audio). This initial interview will last approximately 60-90 minutes, with participants agreeing to possible contact within one month for any additional follow up questions over the phone. (See Appendix D for the interview schedule). Participants will be given ten dollars at the beginning of the interview as a small token of appreciation for their assistance. Throughout the interview, participants will be monitored to assure that they are comfortable. Detailed plans are in place in case of any distress (see 'Risks'). All interviews will happen in July-November of 2005 in Maryland and Illinois.

All incoming first year students will have an opportunity to complete the series of two on-line surveys about the campus culture [related to the targeted health problem] and half of these students will also have an opportunity to participate in a theatrical program on [this campus health problem]. Campus housing units eligible for participation in the program will be determined by the Housing Office. Students participating in the program will spend approximately 2 hours for the entire experience. Each version of the on-line questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The on-line questionnaire will be available through the Housing Office, using the protection available in that system for information recorded by students. The first offering of the survey will be available for 2 weeks following the final theatrical presentation. The second offering of the survey will be available for 2 weeks in April, 2006. Individual students responding to the surveys will be tracked across the two data collection points using an identifying mechanism maintained by Campus Housing. Once logged into the data base, a dummy identification number will be issued to the student's survey, allowing for tracking over time. Students will be presented with a statement of informed consent as the first question of the questionnaire (copy attached). Students concurring with the statement will be allowed to continue with the set of questions on campus culture [related to the targeted health problem].

A data file stripped of all personally identifying student information will be available for analysis as prepared by Housing personnel. Staff from Housing Business & Technology Services will be responsible for preparing the on-line survey, monitoring use of the survey, and preparing the final data file for analysis.

Only staff from this unit of Housing will have access to the original data. Housing's policies and data management procedures strictly limit access to any files containing personally identifying information. Therefore no Residential Advisor or member of the research team will ever be able to obtain any information linking an individual student with his/her survey responses.

The study will follow a qualitative approach relying on, but not limited to, in-depth interviews with semi-structured questions and negotiated text with representatives of each one of following stakeholders: the homeless, residents associations, chamber of commerce, and the city officials ? a total of eleven (11) interviewees. The study will also make use of local newspaper archives and Census data about the downtown area.

The interviews, conducted in Spanish, will consider the following topics: the process of removal, public participation in particular the process of consultation with and participation by the homeless, satisfaction with the revitalization project, alternative locations, current problems, advantages and disadvantages of the policy, change in sales, location of homeless within the city, use of public space, development of the urban core, economic competition, social inclusion/discrimination and exclusion.

Interviews will last from twenty to forty minutes, according to the interviewee?s availability, and when feasible they will be tape-recorded. Answers will then be qualitatively analyzed based on their content ? they will be conducted at the informant?s place of work (office, market place, streets, etc.).

Spaniards are not formal, and often don?t appreciate extreme formality. What I mean is that informality in Spain leads to a more intimate and trustful relationship between people, therefore, informal talks are much more productive, and therefore, culturally respectful, than a set of pre-prepared survey-like formal questions. Since I am a citizen of [the targeted city], interviewees will receive me as one of them without any formality. So, there is no necessity of formulating questions beforehand (that would be counter productive). I will make sure that we talk about subjects that relates to my research as mentioned before: the process of removal, public participation in particular the process of consultation with and participation by store owners, satisfaction with the revitalization project, alternative locations, current problems, advantages and disadvantages of the policy, change in sales, location of the homeless within the city, use of public space, development of the urban core, economic competition, social inclusion/discrimination and exclusion. The content of the questions will not differ among interviewees, only the way those subjects/topics will be brought up will differ according to the interviewee. That is, since the homeless use a more simple language, I will phrase the questions differently.

Equipment (13)

Name of the Equipment or System: PROPRIO 5000
Manufacturer: Perry Dynamics Inc., Decatur, IL
Model, Year, or Generation: 2003
Web address for more information if available: http://www.PerryDynamics.com
Is this unaltered, commercially available, solid state equipement: Yes

Describe the equipment or system, including how pieces interface with each other and with the subject (or attach manufacturers printed material as apporpriate). Include specifications, industry ratings, and industry standards for all stimulation, amplification, transduction, and data acquisition equipment, as applicable. Describe alterations made to commercially available equipment.

The PROPRIO 5000 consists of a moveable platform and motion analysis system. The PROPRIO 5000 is designed to provide a multi-directional, dynamic platform movement to emulate everyday life situations where the body must react to environmental stimuli. The dynamic platform of the PROPRIO TM 5000 features variable mode, degree, and speed settings. Seven modes are available to describe the movement of the platform, including anterior/posterior, burst, lateral left/right, pause, predictable (counter-clockwise direction), predictable (clockwise direction), and random modes. The maximum tilt of the PROPRIO TM 5000 platform is 18 R/L and anterior/posterior modes. The speed range is 1 to 10 speeds setting with 1 being the slowest and 10 the fastest. Speed 1 of the platform corresponds to 12.65 degrees per second. Speed 10 is 126.4 degrees per second. The motion analysis system of the PROPRIO TM 5000 uses an Ultrasonic Measuring System which consists of an ultrasonic receiver that is a small triangular sensor belted in the middle of the subject's lower back and a larger triangular shaped transmitter located on the back pad of the machine. The transmitter emits ultrasonic waves to the receiver. As the subject's body position changes, the ultrasonic waves convey these motion changes instantaneously. The movement of the sensor on the subject's lower back will be recorded. This record represents an assessment of core stability. The relative position of the transmitter is recorded in a three dimensional space (X, Y, and Z coordinates). The information will be recorded in three dimensions - anterior/posterior, lateral, and up/down - every 1/4 second.

Data Collection (19B)

Data will not be collected anonymously, but through personal contact between the researcher and interview participants. The interviewer will meet with participants over a 1-2 hour time period in order to audio tape an interview, which will be conducted in privacy in a location chosen by the participant. The interviewer will personally transcribe and code the interviews, and develop an identity key that links the subjects' identity to a code number. The code key, audio tapes, and transcriptions will all be stored separately, and tapes and code keys will be destroyed immediately after they are transcribed. At no time will anyone other than the researcher listen to interview audio tapes of study participants. The researcher does not anticipate heightened visibility of participants because of their responses to questions regarding their educational experiences.

All participants will be given a code. The identification data will be locked separately from the coded data. The investigator will then explain to the participant that this research study is looking at how long a person can [perform the targeted behavior]. The investigator will demonstrate how to produce the [targeted behavior], and then ask the participant if they have any questions. The participant will be asked to produce [the targeted behavior three times. Their maximum times will be measured using a stopwatch and the computer program TAARP. The computer software program TAARP allows for a digital recording of the [targeted behavior]. This digital recording will later be compared to the stopwatch recording to determine accuracy. The participants will be asked their age and then be weighed and measured to determine weight and height.

Digital audio files of interviews will be labeled and kept on a secure flash drive prior to transcription. These audio files will be coded numerically with an identity key kept separate from these files. Audio files will not be used as part of the dissemination plan for research--and will serve only as records necessary to transcribe the interviews. Once transcription takes place, audio files and identity key will be kept for the duration of the research period and then deleted. Once transcribed, the electronic text files will also be kept secure on a flash drive (see details below). Data collection will be confidential, but not anonymous, since the primary investigator will still have the ability to trace responses to subject identities--and will need to retain the ability to contact participants at a later date. This will remain the exclusive ability of the investigator, however.

Data will be collected using on-line surveys maintained by University Housing. Only approved Housing Informational Management staff have access to the site.

Students will be notified as to the availability of the site through two successive e-mails and through posting of reminder notes. A copy of the e-mail notice is attached and follows the IRB guidelines used two years ago with a University Housing sponsored survey on [the targeted campus health problem]. The final file made available for analysis will contain no personally identifying information.

Facilitators will be asked to keep brief summary notes of the tone and content of their group meetings. No individual information on any student will be recorded in these notes.

Data Security (19C)

Audiotapes, coded transcripts, signed consent forms, and written interview notes will be kept in the home of the researcher, in a secure location where only the researcher will have access to the data. The audiotapes will be destroyed immediately after they are transcribed.

The participants will be given an identification code. All audio files that will be collected via PRAAT will be coded as well. The participant's personal information will be kept in a laboratory notebook that will be kept in a locked laboratory. This information will be accessible only to the project personnel. Audio files and electronic files of transcription will be kept secure on a flash drive in a locked office when not in direct possession of the investigator. These audio files will be coded?with an identity key stored separate from these files in a separate office. Signed informed consent documents will be stored in third secure location separate from both audio files and identity key. (The investigator has access to three locked research offices in the [campus] building). When in Maryland, other secure locations will be used.

The data will be kept by authorized information management staff of University Housing No other personnel will have access to the original data file.

Staff Training (19D)

The investigator is an advanced graduate student in the clinical/community doctoral program in the UIUC social work department and has taken a class on assessment and multiple classes on research (especially qualitative research). She has also received specific training in assessment for suicide risk as part of her graduate training.

Maria is a native of Madrid and has done preliminary field research to see how feasible such study would be. She has great local contextual knowledge and therefore good access to all necessary stakeholders and data necessary for this research. She has graduated from [stated program at] UIUC with highest honors, which demonstrate she is well-prepared to conduct such research.

Data Retention (19E)

The data from this research study will be locked in a file cabinet in a locked laboratory room of the principal investigator?s for five years.

Original electronic data files will be retained for five years after the time of collection--while audio files and identifying key will be deleted and destroyed as soon as the actual research period expires.

The data file for analysis will be kept for three years. The original data file maintained by University Housing will be destroyed immediately after issuance of the data file for analysis.

Dissemination of Results (19F)

Results will be disseminated through an academic paper completed for a summer research program and then presented in abbreviated form during oral presentations at conferences. While the paper fulfills course requirements that are part of the research program, I may use the data in subsequent research.

Dissertation publication, journal article, and potentially a book for a more general audience. Campus and national conference presentations are anticipated as one method of dissemination along with journal manuscripts.

Consent Process (20C)

Preliminary consent will be obtained by the researcher when she contacts potential study participants and invites them to participate in the study. At this time she will explain the nature of the study as well as any possible benefits or risks of participation for the participants. Once potential participants agree to be interviewed by the researcher, they will choose a location at which to be interviewed. At the time of the interview, the researcher will present the potential study participants with a written consent form, which the researcher will read with the participant, answering any questions regarding consent that the participant may have. If the participant still chooses to participate after having read the consent form, the researcher will obtain the participant's signature on the consent form and proceed with the interview.

Consent forms will be distributed to students in Grades 2, 5, 8, and 11 via the teacher after permission has been granted from the school district as arranged by the UIUC Bureau of Educational Research, and the teacher has read a prepared explanation of the study. The consent forms will be sent home with the children so that the parents/guardians may choose to either participate or decline the opportunity to participate in this research study. The parent/guardian and the student will be asked to sign the consent form if they are willing to participate. The students will bring the consent forms back to school. Before the student participates in the study, they will need to sign or orally assent to document their willingness to participate. After participating in the study, the students will receive a copy of the consent form to take home for their parent/guardian to keep.

Voluntary consent will be obtained by the primary investigator from each participant prior to beginning an interview. This consent exchange will function as a conversation--explaining the main parts verbally and probing for any questions or concerns. As noted on the IRB site, the consent process will also "involve answering questions that arise before, during, and after the subject's participation." The actual signing of the consent document will take place at the beginning of the main interview, with additional questions answered as the arise. Subsequent follow up interviewing over the phone will be covered under this initial consent agreement. If additional important information/changes about the study arise that participants should hear, they will be contacted at a future date. (See Appendix E for Informed Consent Document).

As mentioned before, too much formality is not productive in the case of members of this cultural group. I will approach participants in an informal manner and explain, using simple language, the focus of my research and the objective of my questions. Letters and scripts are not a good idea in this setting, orally explaining what is the research about and what my purpose is for such interviews is more culturally accepted since it takes less of the respondent?s time. After explaining the research I will ask if they wish to see any formal documentation of my research (in this case, the thesis?s proposal will be enough), which I will hand over. After this introductory explanation, I will obtain voluntary consent in a written and signed form from all informants.

First year students confirming through an on-line survey that they are at least 18 years old will have an opportunity to review the terms of consent and voluntarily chose to complete some or all of the on-line questionnaire (copy attached).

Risks (21A)

There are no physical risks to participants in this study. However, participants may feel temporary emotional distress if they discuss uncomfortable or difficult experiences regarding their educational experiences. These risks will be discussed verbally with participants during initial contact with the researcher, and will also be written on the consent form presented to participants before taking part in the interview.

No known physical risks are expected as a result of this study. Some participants may experience emotional stress as a result of being weighed and/or measure. These risks will be minimized by weighing and measuring the subjects in a separate room without the presence of other participants.

While sharing experience regarding [the health condition] is not without risk, multiple aspects of the study seek to minimize potential discomfort or distress. The most important way this will happen, is through preventive recruiting procedures which will carefully exclude individuals currently fighting serious [levels of this health condition (see Section 11). As a result, participant stories are largely expected to be chronicles of experience in the participants' past (with the exception of mild ongoing wrestles). An additional feature of recruiting, will be the way it naturally targets people more interested and willing to 'share their story' (see 'Recruiting). Based on such recruiting, it is not anticipated that serious discomfort will be a regular aspect of sharing for participants. However, since recruiting procedures may fail to detect a person currently fighting serious [levels of this health condition] and because even recounting past or mild [incidents of this health condition] is not without the possibility of real discomfort, the following plans and steps have been formulated in case they are needed: (See Appendix F for additional risk information)

The main issue in this research relates to the privacy of statements that might put at risk the current job of the informants - this will be avoided by keeping confidential the identity of such informants. Data will be identified by the institution they represent, the position of the ?chamber of commerce is such and such? ? ?the common feeling among the homeless is such and such? ?.the ?department of planning see the issue of the homeless as such and such?

In addition, there is no risk to the homeless who might risk the anger of public officials if they complain about the treatment they receive during the revitalization process because no personal identification will be possible.

Benefits (22)

Benefits to the research participants will be: this study will provide a necessary addition to current academic literature on the perspectives and constraints that may impact the educational experiences of [the cultural group], creating for educators and policy makers the potential for more informed and critical future practice. Additionally, this research will give parents [from this cultural group] opportunity to voice their concerns regarding their educational experiences and those of their children in U.S. schools, and to confer with someone in a professional academic setting who can act as a resource in negotiating the American public education system.

No known physical benefits are expected as a result of the research study for the subjects. This research will benefit the field of speech and hearing science in that it will offer normative data that does not currently exist at this time. This normative data will be useful in the evaluation process to determine if a child has within normal limit [targeted behavior] abilities in comparison to their age, height, and weight. This study will also examine the accuracy between the use of a stopwatch versus a digital recording computer software program (TAARP) to measure phonatory abilities.

This research aims to understand the diversity in experiences of [the targeted health condition] in order to improve the way we respond to this pervasive and painful problem in communities. By understanding how and why people narrate their experiences so radically differently, we may better grasp both the nature of [the health condition] and its successful treatment. Participants are invited in the informed consent to request a copy of the research results at a later date. Participants may also potentially receive personal insight into their own experiences through the process of recounting these experiences in detail in response to specific questions (a benefit not mentioned explicitly in the consent document based on advice from my dissertation chair to not overstate potential benefits). Beyond this and the eventual opportunity to receive study findings, no other benefits specific to study participants are anticipated.

The main idea of this research is to analyze practices involved in downtown revitalization projects that implied the total removal of the homeless. The information gathered will serve as basis for future alike practices in other places or in the [targeted city] itself. It is a chance for the various participants to reflect and discuss about their own problems and reality. Other than that, the subject will be collaborating to the completion of my thesis, in other words, to help each other without any gain is a noble attitude among [residents of this country], and the respondents will be more than happy in helping one of their own.

There is ample documentation of the risks incurred by undergraduate students [who experience the targeted health problem to extreme levels]. The [research] program is designed to assist students in making healthier and safer choices. Participation in the program will hopefully assist individual students in making such choices as well as shift the campus climate overall [in relation to the targeted health problem].

Risk/Benefit Assessment (23)

The benefits of this study outweigh the risks, because the interview questions are mainly designed to assist the researcher in becoming more familiar with the ways participants experience education. This study, while inviting individuals [from the targeted cultural group] to share personal experiences in regards to their educational decisions, is not designed to focus on personal experiences and therefore will not exacerbate discomfort in any way. Instead, by providing an opportunity for [members of the targeted cultural group] to discuss these experiences in the context of educational decisions, the study can assist participants in interpreting their educational experiences in healthy, critical, and beneficial ways. Further, the individuals who agree to participate in this study will know of its potential value for parents and students [of the targeted cultural group], educators and policy makers, and the greater educational community. The benefits of the knowledge acquired from this unique research project that attempts to correlate [the targeted behavior] to weight and height in children and the accuracy of instrumentation outweigh the very minor risks to the participants.

The potential benefits of improved ways of understanding and responding to [experiencing the targeted health condition] represent signifant weight given the increasing human toll of [the health problem] in our society. These benefits outweigh the minimal risks associated with disclosing personal information (discomfort, assuring confidentiality)--risks that are inherent and necessary in the study design.

The main issue in this research relates to the privacy of statements that might put at risk the current job of the informants. These risks are minimal and are overweighed by the value of the results of this study in guiding future city revitalization efforts. In short, the risk is minimal, almost inexistent. The benefits of reflecting in such practices easily outweighs risks.