Study Title: Conceptualization of Gender Nonconformity Among Mental Health Professionals
Researcher: Julie Cochran
Sponsor: College of Social Work, The Ohio State University
This is a consent form for research participation. It contains important information about this
study and what to expect if you decide to participate.
Your participation is voluntary.
Please consider the information carefully. Feel free to ask questions before making your decision whether or not to participate. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to sign this form and will receive a copy of the form.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gain information about how mental health professionals
conceptualize and understand gender nonconformity. This study is also interested in how mental health professionals differ in their conceptualizations of gender nonconformity across
disciplines. This study seeks to identify whether there is a need for further related education of mental health professionals and those studying to be a mental health professional.
Procedures/Tasks: Attached is a questionnaire that you may choose to complete. You can either
complete the paper copy of the questionnaire, or go to the website listed on it and complete it online. By completing the questionnaire, you are providing consent for participation. Your answers will remain anonymous. If you choose to complete the paper copy of the questionnaire, you can put it in the stamped/addressed envelope provided and drop it in a mailbox when you are finished with it. After completing the questionnaire, you may tear off the last sheet of this
questionnaire and go to the website provided to enter your email address to be entered into a raffle to win one of seven $50 gas cards. For those that complete the online questionnaire, you will be given the link to the website to enter your email at the end of the questionnaire. Entering your email on this website will not connect your name to the answers on your completed
questionnaire in any way. The questionnaires will be destroyed three years after the completion of this research.
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You may leave the study at any time. If you decide to stop participating in the study, there will be no penalty to you, and you will not lose any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. Your decision will not affect your future relationship with The Ohio State University.
Risks and Benefits:
There are minimal risks to participating in this study. There is potential for experiencing negative emotions due to the content of the questionnaire. There is no direct benefit to completing the questionnaire, but this research may identify a need for further research and education on this topic.
Confidentiality:
Efforts will be made to keep your study-related information confidential. No personally
identifiable information will be gathered and none of your responses will be connected to you in any way. However, there may be circumstances where information gathered through this study must be released. For example, personal information regarding your participation in this study may be disclosed if required by state law. Also, your records may be reviewed by the following groups (as applicable to the research):
10. Office for Human Research Protections or other federal, state, or international regulatory agencies;
11. The Ohio State University Institutional Review Board or Office of Responsible Research Practices;
12. The sponsor supporting the study.
Incentives:
After participating in this study, you will have the option of entering your email address on an online questionnaire (separate from the online research questionnaire). Seven participants will be randomly selected from this list to win a $50 gas card.
Participant Rights:
You may refuse to participate in this study without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you are a student or employee at Ohio State, your decision will not affect your grades or employment status.
If you choose to participate in the study, you may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. By signing this form, you do not give up any personal legal rights you may have as a participant in this study.
An Institutional Review Board responsible for human subjects research at The Ohio State University reviewed this research project and found it to be acceptable, according to applicable state and federal regulations and University policies designed to protect the rights and welfare of participants in research.
Contacts and Questions:
For questions, concerns, or complaints about the study you may contact my thesis advisor, Dr. Tamara Davis at [email protected] or me at [email protected].
For questions about your rights as a participant in this study or to discuss other study-related concerns or complaints with someone who is not part of the research team, you may contact Ms. Sandra Meadows in the Office of Responsible Research Practices at 1-800-678-6251.
If you are harmed as a result of participating in this study or for questions about a study-related injury, you may contact Dr. Davis or myself at the emails listed above.
By completing the following questionnaire (on paper or online), you are providing informed consent to participate in this study. You may keep this copy of the consent or
61 Appendix D Recruitment Letter
To Potential Research Participants:
My name is Julie Cochran, and I am a senior social work major at Ohio State. I am currently in the process of completing an honors thesis. My thesis is exploring the ways that mental health professionals conceptualize gender nonconformity. I have selected several agencies throughout Columbus to recruit participants for my study, and this agency is one that has been selected based on the fact that it serves individuals of all ages, it offers mental health treatment for a wide range of issues, and it employs social workers to provide services.
Attached to this letter is a questionnaire that will take you 10-15 minutes to complete. You have the option of completing the questionnaire on the paper copy provided or completing it online by going to the website below. If you choose to complete the paper questionnaire, please put it in the envelope provided and place it in a mailbox after you have completed it. You answers will remain anonymous, and no identifying information will be asked of you in the questionnaire. Your participation is completely voluntary, and more information about your consent in participating in this research can be found on the next page. If you do participate, you will be offered an opportunity to be entered into a raffle to win one of seven $50 gas cards. To enter the raffle, tear off the small paper and enter your email address. Emails will be randomly drawn, and winners will be notified when data collection is complete. Your email will not be connected to the answers you provide on your questionnaire.
I really appreciate your participation in helping me complete my thesis. I will provide a summary of my findings to your agency in the spring. Thank you very much!
Sincerely, Julie Cochran