A Survey of Black Entrepreneurs

* DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH

You are invited to participate in a research study about your experiences as an entrepreneur.

You have been asked to participate because you are currently running your own business, or you used to run your own business in the past.

The purpose of the research is to examine how Black entrepreneurs decide to go into business for themselves, what types of businesses they run, where those businesses operate, and how their businesses are doing. Most research on entrepreneurs has been conducted on White businesses. This study will tell us about the experience of Black businesses and allow us to assess similarities and differences between the experiences of Black entrepreneurs and those of White entrepreneurs, as described in most of the existing research.

This study involves one online survey. The researcher conducting this study is employed at a U.S.-based university - The University of Wisconsin - Madison.

WHAT WILL MY PARTICIPATION INVOLVE?

If you decide to participate in this research, you will complete one online survey.

Your participation will last approximately 25 to 30 minutes and will require one session.

ARE THERE ANY RISKS/BENEFITS TO ME?

There are no direct benefits to you as a research participant, and there are no known risks to participating in this research study. There is a risk of a breach of confidentiality in the event of a data breach. This risk is being mitigated by using a secure/encrypted web site to collect and download data, by keeping the data on the researcher’s password protected computer, and by removing any identifying information from the final data set to be analyzed.

WILL I BE COMPENSATED FOR MY PARTICIPATION?

You will receive no compensation for your participation in this study.

HOW WILL MY CONFIDENTIALITY BE PROTECTED?

All responses will be kept confidential. The data will be stored on a secure server during data collection. It will be downloaded and stored securely. The data will only be seen by authorized personnel. The information obtained in this study may be published in aggregate form in journals or presented at conferences. Any quotations used from the data collected for publication will be presented as having a confidential source.

WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

You may ask any questions about the research at any time. If you have questions about the research you should contact the Principal Investigator Maria Triana at 608-890-2495 or mtriana@bus.wisc.edu.

If you are not satisfied with the response of the research team, have more questions, or want to talk with someone about your rights as a research participant, you should contact the Education and Social/Behavioral Science IRB Office at 608-263-2320.

Your participation is voluntary. If you decide not to participate or to withdraw from the study, you may do so without penalty.

By clicking on the “I consent to participate” button below, you are voluntarily making a decision whether or not to participate in this research study. Your selection of this option certifies that you have decided to participate having read and understood the information presented. Please print a copy of this page for your records.