Measuring Spirituality in the American-Muslim Community: Creating a Scale |
Consent Form
TITLE: Measuring Spirituality in the American-Muslim Community: Creating a Scale
PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Quaiser Abdullah, Ph.D, Communication and Social Influence, 215-204-6808
WHY IS THIS RESEARCH BEING DONE: I am an assistant professor at Temple University and an Imam at Quba Institute. I conduct research on communication, marriage and religion. In this research, I am looking specifically at how religious leaders and chaplains define religiosity and spirituality or spiritual development. I will use this data to create a measure of Muslim Spirituality that can then be used to correlate to our levels of communication and marital satisfaction. Past research on this topic has not focused on the African American Muslim community and has looked at spirituality in very narrowly defined terms.
PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Quaiser Abdullah, Ph.D, Communication and Social Influence, 215-204-6808
WHY IS THIS RESEARCH BEING DONE: I am an assistant professor at Temple University and an Imam at Quba Institute. I conduct research on communication, marriage and religion. In this research, I am looking specifically at how religious leaders and chaplains define religiosity and spirituality or spiritual development. I will use this data to create a measure of Muslim Spirituality that can then be used to correlate to our levels of communication and marital satisfaction. Past research on this topic has not focused on the African American Muslim community and has looked at spirituality in very narrowly defined terms.
WHAT ARE YOU BEING ASKED TO DO:
You have been identified as a religious leader/scholar in the Muslim community. I am seeking your assistance in conducting this research. I have decided to ask religious leaders to define spirituality. This will then be used to create a measure of Muslim spirituality to be use in future research studies.
You are being asked to take part in a research study that aims to define Muslim spirituality within the American Muslim community. The purpose of this study is to gather data that would facilitate the creation of a measure for spirituality. The only criteria for participation in this study is that you must be Muslim.
WHAT YOU WILL BE ASKED TO DO: If you agree to be in this study, we will ask you to sign this consent form, complete a demographics questionnaire and a series of questions about religiosity and spirituality. The entire survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
RISKS & BENEFITS: There are no physical risks associated with this study. There is the risk that you may find some of the questions asking you to define religiosity and spirituality to be sensitive. I do not anticipate any risks to you participating in this study other than those encountered in day-to-day life.
There are no direct benefits to you.
COMPENSATION: There is no compensation for participation in this research.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR INFORMATION: Your answers will be confidential. The records of this study will be kept private. In any sort of report we make public we will not include any information that will make it possible to identify you. Only the researchers will have access to the data.
Taking part is voluntary: Taking part in this study is completely voluntary. You may skip any questions that you do not want to answer and you may refuse to participate at any time. You can close the survey at any time if you decide to discontinue participation. Any data provided prior to your decision to discontinue the survey will not be used in the research.
If you have questions: If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights as a subject in this study, you may contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at 215-707-1248 or access their website at http://research.temple.edu/ or irb@temple.edu.
Statement of Consent: I have read the above information, and have received answers to any questions I asked. I consent to take part in the study.
This consent form will be kept by the researcher for at least three years beyond the end of the study.
The title of the study should appear at the top of every page.
COMPENSATION: There is no compensation for participation in this research.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR INFORMATION: Your answers will be confidential. The records of this study will be kept private. In any sort of report we make public we will not include any information that will make it possible to identify you. Only the researchers will have access to the data.
Taking part is voluntary: Taking part in this study is completely voluntary. You may skip any questions that you do not want to answer and you may refuse to participate at any time. You can close the survey at any time if you decide to discontinue participation. Any data provided prior to your decision to discontinue the survey will not be used in the research.
If you have questions: If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights as a subject in this study, you may contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at 215-707-1248 or access their website at http://research.temple.edu/ or irb@temple.edu.
Statement of Consent: I have read the above information, and have received answers to any questions I asked. I consent to take part in the study.
This consent form will be kept by the researcher for at least three years beyond the end of the study.
The title of the study should appear at the top of every page.