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The title of this research study is Exploring the Beliefs and Practices of First Responders with Vegan or Vegetarian Diets.
I am Danielle Dorsey, a doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Evelyn Knowles in the College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University.
The purpose of this study is to understand the everyday life of vegan/vegetarian first responders.
Thank you for participating in our survey. Your feedback is important.
Key Information
This document defines the terms and conditions for consenting to participate in this research study.

How do I know if I can be in this study?
You can participate in this study if you:
  • Are vegan or vegetarian
  • Are a first responder:
    • Nurse
    • Firefighter
    • Doctor
    • Law enforcement
    • EMS personnel
You cannot participate in this study if you:
  • Are not vegan or vegetarian
  • Are not a first responder:
    • Nurse
    • Firefighter
    • Doctor
    • Law enforcement
    • EMS personnel
Research Activities: What am I being asked to do?
If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to:
  • What?
    • Complete demographic survey about your diet, occupation and location using SurveyMonkey (5 minutes).
    • Provide contact information after the survey to be contacted for an interview. (1-2 minutes)
    • Participate in a one-on-one interview through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet (45-60 minutes).
  • When?
    • The survey will take place during the summer of 2025 with one-on-one interviews taking place during fall of 2025.
  • Where?
    • Both the demographic survey and one-on-one interviews will be online. The location of where these activities will be completed is your choice.
  • How?
    • The data from the demographic survey will be collected through SurveyMonkey. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.
  • Audio Recording: I will use an audio recorder or the audio recording feature of the online conferencing platform (i.e. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) to record your responses. You cannot participate if you do not wish to be recorded. The recordings and the transcripts will be redacted of any identity indicators and the online conferencing platform has their own privacy policy: https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/privacy/privacystatement/ for your review.
  • Video Recording: The online conferencing platforms have the video recording feature. It is up to you if you choose have your camera on or off. My camera will be on but this is not a requirement for you being interviewed.
Who will have access to my data/information?
I will have access to all of your data and information. In addition, my dissertation chair, committee members, and all College of Doctoral Studies Reviewers may view your information and your answers as part of the dissertation review process.

Am I required to participate in this study?
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. After reading this informed consent, you can decide whether to participate in this study or not. Also, if you choose to participate and then change your mind, you can leave the study at any time, even if you have not finished, without any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you decide to stop participation, you may do so by sending an email to druffin4@my.gcu.edu. If so, I will not use the information that I collected from you before you chose to stop.

Any possible risks or discomforts?
There are no foreseeable risks or discomforts associated with this study.

Any direct benefits for me?
No.

Any paid compensation or incentives for my time?
Participants will not get paid for their participation.
Presentation of Information Collected

The research data will be published as a dissertation. The similarities will be grouped and the differences will be listed individually.
Privacy and Data Security

Will researchers ever be able to link my data/responses back to me?
Yes, the recording of the interviews will link the data/responses back to you but these recordings will be privacy protected.

Will my initial data include information that can identify me (names, addresses, or other identifying material, such as audio, specific demographics, etc.)
Yes, the end of the demographic survey asks for your contact information for the researcher to schedule interviews. This, along with the recorded interviews, identifies you.

Will researchers assign my data/responses a research ID code to use instead of my name?
Yes, all participants who participate in the interview will be assigned a research ID. This research ID will replace your name.

If yes, how will researchers create a list to link names with their research ID codes?
There will be a reference list linking the IDs to the participants. The IDs will consist of a V, the first letter of your occupation and a number.

If yes, how will researchers secure the link of names and research ID codes? How long will the link be kept? Who has access? What is the approximate destruction date?
The reference list will be secured with the other data on an encrypted USB Drive in a secured location. After 3 years, the drive will be wiped and destroyed.

How and where will my data be protected (electronic and hardcopy)?
All data will be stored on an encrypted USB Drive in a secured location.

Will artificial intelligence (AI) software be used?
No.

How long will the data be kept in the protected space?
The data will be kept in the secured space for three years.

Who will have access to the protected data?
I will have access to all of your data and information. In addition, my dissertation chair, committee members, and all College of Doctoral Studies Reviewers may view your information and your answers as part of the dissertation review process.

What is the privacy policy for survey platforms (Survey Monkey, Qualtrics, mTurk, Google, etc.), any recording software (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.), interview software, survey software, artificial intelligence software, or transcription software companies?

https://explore.zoom.us/en/privacy/
https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/legal/privacy/

Where and how will the signed informed consent forms be secured?
The signed informed consent forms will be secured with the rest of data.

For California Residents ONLY
For the state of California, participants have additional rights through the State: The right to know about the personal information a business collects about them and how it is used and shared; The right to delete personal information collected from them (with some exceptions); The right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information; and The right to non-discrimination for exercising their CCPA rights. For more information, click on the link below:

California Consumer Privacy Act: https://www.oag.ca.gov/pr
Future Research

Once identifiers' names and contact information are removed from the data collected for this study, the de-identified information could be used for future research studies. It could also be distributed to other investigators for future research studies. This would be without additional informed consent from you or your legally authorized representative.
Study Contacts

Any questions you have concerning the research study or your participation in the study, before or after your informed consent, will be answered by Danielle Dorsey via email: druffin4@my.gcu.edu.

If you have questions about your rights as a subject/participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you can contact the Chair of the Human Subjects Institutional Review Board through the College of Doctoral Studies at IRB@gcu.edu; (602) 639-7804.

Question Title

* 1. Voluntary Consent

Participant Rights
  • You have been given an opportunity to read and discuss the informed consent and ask questions about this study.
  • You have been given enough time to consider whether or not you want to participate.
  • You have read and understand the terms and conditions and agree to take part in this research study.
  • You understand your participation is voluntary and that you may stop participation at any time without penalty.

Your signature means that you understand your rights listed above and agree to participate in this study.

Question Title

* 2. Date

Date
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