Title of the Project:
Exposure and Engagement with Black Lives Matter Content on Social Media: A Mediation Analysis of Public Perception and Support for Criminal Justice Reform

Principal Investigator:
Kadeeja McCall, PhD student, Helms School of Government, Liberty University

Key Information about the Research Study:
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between exposure to and engagement with Black Lives Matter (BLM) content on social media and individuals’ perceptions of the BLM movement’s objectives and their support for criminal justice reform among adult Facebook users in the United States. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old, be able to read and respond to survey questions in English, currently reside in the United States, use Facebook daily for personal use and regularly view content on your news feed, have viewed BLM content on Facebook in the past 12 months, and are able to view posts from other users with any Facebook restrictions in your account settings. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete an anonymous survey. The survey will take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Your participation is voluntary. You do not have to participate, and you can stop at any time.

Please read this entire form and ask questions before deciding whether to participate in this research.

What is the study about, and why is it being done?
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between exposure to and engagement with Black Lives Matter (BLM) content on social media and how these factors influence individuals’ perceptions of the BLM movement’s objectives and their support for criminal justice reform among adult Facebook users in the United States.

What will happen if you take part in this study?
If you choose to participate in this study, you will be asked to:
1. Complete an online anonymous survey (10-15 minutes).

How could you or others benefit from this study?
There are no direct benefits expected for the participants from this study. However, the survey may help researchers and policymakers better understand the impact of social media on public opinion.

What risks might you experience from being in this study?
The expected risks from participating in this study are minimal, which means they are equal to the risks you would encounter in everyday life. Some of the survey questions address racial justice issues, which may cause mild discomfort to participants. If you experience discomfort during the survey, you may contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting their website at https://988lifeline.org. This service is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

How will personal information be protected?
The records of this study will be kept private. Research records will be stored securely, and only the researcher and the researcher’s faculty supervisor will have access to the records. Participant responses to the survey will be anonymous. No identifying information will be collected. IP addresses will not be stored, and the IP address tracking feature will be disabled. Research data will be stored on a password-protected computer Only the researcher and her faculty supervisor will have access to the raw data. Data will be retained for seven years and then permanently deleted.

Is study participation voluntary?
Participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision whether to participate will not affect your current or future relations with Liberty University. If you decide to participate, you are free not to answer any question or withdraw at any time before submitting the survey without affecting those relationships.

What should you do if you decide to withdraw from the study?
If you choose to withdraw from the study, exit the survey and close your internet browser before submitting your responses. Your responses will not be recorded or included in the study.

Whom do you contact if you have questions or concerns about the study?
The researcher conducting this study is Kadeeja McCall. You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you are encouraged to contact her at kmccall14@liberty.edu. You may also contact the researcher’s faculty sponsor, Dr. Jade Brown, at jnpumphrey@liberty.edu.

Whom do you contact if you have questions about your rights as a research participant?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study and want to talk to someone other than the researcher, you are encouraged to contact the IRB. Our physical address is Institutional Review Board, 1971 University Blvd., Green Hall Ste. 2845, Lynchburg, VA, 24515; our phone number is 434-592-5530, and our email address is irb@liberty.edu

Disclaimer: The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is tasked with ensuring that human subjects research will be conducted ethically as defined and required by federal regulations. The topics covered and viewpoints expressed or alluded to by student and faculty researchers are those of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Liberty University.

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