Introduction

The title of this research study is Workplace Bullying in Non-Profit Organizations.

I am Sophia Shaw, a doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Jay Avella in the College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University.

The purpose of this study is to explore how bullying complaints are managed in New York City by Human Resource Professionals (HRPs) working in a non-profit organization.

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?
o You can participate in this study if you:
• Are a human resource professional for five years or more.
• Work for a non-profit organization in New York City.
• Have managed one or more bullying complaints in a non-profit organization in New York City.
• Have used the organization’s anti-harassment policy to address bullying complaints.

o You cannot participate in this study if you:
• Do not work as a human resource professional in a non-profit organization in New York City.
• Are not fluent in English.

Research Activities: What am I being asked to do?
If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to:

o What?
• Participate in a 60-90 minute interview with me to answer questions on how you manage employee bullying complaints.
• A follow-up with member checking within two days after the interview, where you will receive the interview transcription by email to review, confirm, and clarify statements.
• Return comments by email within two days.

o When?
• The interview will be held between December 2025 and February 2026 at a convenient time for both of us.

o Where?
• In a private space of choice.

o How?
• Zoom teleconferencing.

Audio Recording:
I will use an audio recording feature of the online conferencing platform Zoom to record your responses. You cannot participate if you do not wish to be recorded. Instead of using your name, identity will be protected by using a letter and a number.

https://explore.zoom.us/en/privacy/

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 letting me know by email before or if, during the interview, you want to stop, you can let me know you are no longer interested. 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 get a $20 Amazon Gift Card emailed to them within 24 hrs. after reviewing the transcripts and providing feedback.

Presentation of Information Collected
The research data will be presented as a dissertation. The data will be presented in multiple forms, including grouped and individual data.
Privacy and Data Security

Will researchers ever be able to link my data/responses back to me?
Yes. I will have the recordings from the interviews.

Will my initial data include information that can identify me (names, addresses, or other identifying material, such as audio, specific demographics, etc.)
Yes. I will have the recordings from the interviews.

Will researchers assign my data/responses a research ID code to use instead of my name?
Yes.

If yes, how will researchers create a list to link names with their research ID codes?
The research ID code will be used in the filename of your saved interview recording. For example, P1 for participant number 1.

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?
Interview recordings will be saved only on a password-protected flash drive, with only the researcher having access. The password-protected flash drive will be reformatted and then physically destroyed three years after my graduation, on June 30, 2029.

How and where will my data be protected (electronic and hardcopy)?
Audio recordings, interview transcripts, and signed informed consents will be stored only on a password-protected flash drive, and any hard copies of the interview documents will be kept in a locked file cabinet in my home office, with only me having access. De-identified data will be used on artificial intelligence (AI) software.

Will artificial intelligence (AI) software be used?
For enhanced research efficiency, artificial intelligence (AI) software may be utilized to analyze collected data and may involve the de-identified exchange of some personal or sensitive information. The data will not be disclosed in a way that could identify you.

How long will the data be kept in the protected space?
The minimum is 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/
Privacy Policy | ResearchRabbit
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 stored only on the password-protected flash drive, locked in a file cabinet in my home office, with only me having access.

Future Research
Once identifiers personal information are removed from the data collected for this study, the de-identified information could be used for future research studies or distributed to other investigators for future research studies 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 Sophia Shaw, at sshaw44@my.gcu.edu or by telephone at 646-315-4634.

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.

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.

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* 1. Signature (Typed Name)

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* 2. Please enter date and time

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