Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, New York
INFORMED CONSENT
DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH: You are being asked to fill out an on-line survey to participate in a study being conducted through the Research Group on Disparities in Health within the Department of Health and Behavior Studies at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. We want to learn more about women who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). In addition, we want to gather information on your background, and also find out what you need and what your recommendations are for meeting your needs and those of other women like you. Our goal is use what we learn through this study to develop on-line support and interventions designed for female who have served.
RISK AND BENEFITS: There are no anticipated risks to any of the participants in this study. However, some women might experience some emotional pain, sadness, or stress related to thinking about their war experiences. Although, we would encourage study completion, a participant can discontinue participation in this study at any time. Simply click “end/exit” to exit the study, or delete the whole email or study link entirely. Any participant who becomes upset can do the following, as an Internet user:
1) go to http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/where-to-get-help.asp for Where to Get Help for PTSD, and for accessing links to locate a VA and other mental health services in one’s area; or
2) call the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (Veterans Press 1) [see more information at the website, http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans/]; or
3) pursue help at Complete Counseling Solutions via http://www.completecounselingsolutions.com.
Again, we do not think that study participation will trigger so much pain that this is necessary, but we offer these suggestions as a precaution.
PAYMENTS: There are no payments associated with participating in this study. However, you have a 3 out of 200 chance of winning a $100 gift certificate. Once 200 people have completed the entire survey, the program will automatically send out gift certificates (bar coded to Amazon.com where you can purchase anything from CDs, to books, to electronic equipment to food) to 3 randomly chosen e-mail accounts without in any way linking your identity to the survey results.
DATA STORAGE TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY: Since this is an online survey, actual names, addresses and phone numbers are not needed, and only aggregate (group) data will be utilized. The designers of the website have taken steps to ensure that all data will remain secure, private and confidential.
TIME INVOLVEMENT: The survey should take about 25-45 minutes.
HOW RESULTS WILL BE USED: The results of the study will be used mainly for the purpose of health education, specifically, to improve the care and treatment of diverse women veterans of war. We will only collect and use aggregate data; individual data will not be used. This information will also be used as dissertation data for the researchers’ doctorate degree in health education. The data will be presented at health education meetings, published in journals and used for other educational purposes.