Survey Consent The study in which you are being asked to participate is designed to investigate parent perceptions of the role of social media in supporting families with a diagnosis of ASD. This consent form is part of the informed consent process and its purpose is to provide you with information to help you decide if you want to participate in this research study. This study is being conducted by Kimberly Louie, a student at Concordia University Irvine under the supervision of Kara Bratton, Ph.D., School of Education. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board, Concordia University Irvine, in Irvine, CA.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of online social media support of families with autistic children. The survey will inquire about the social media platforms you use to gain ASD-related support and information. It will also ask you about your level of engagement on those platforms, and the level of social support you received (and continue to receive) from them. At the end of the survey, you will be asked if you would like to participate in an interview.
DESCRIPTION: The survey consists of approximately 50 questions related to your perceptions about the role of social media in supporting families with ASD.
DURATION: The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete.
PARTICIPATION: Participation is voluntary, refusal to participate will involve no penalty or less of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled, and the subject may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits, to which the subject is otherwise entitled.
CONFIDENTIALITY: Every effort will be made to keep your information confidential, but total confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
DATA SECURITY AND DESTRUCTION: Data will be stored in a password-protected file that is accessible only by me, the researcher. The data will be destroyed three years after the study has been completed. The results of this study will only be used for scholarly purposes.
SECONDARY DATA USE: I will not distribute data from this research study to others for secondary research purposes.
RISKS: One of the foreseeable risks associated with this survey is the imposition of your time. Also, for some, there may be the possibility of emotional discomfort when thinking about your child's diagnosis. If this is the case, please note that you can stop at any time. Please refer to the California Mental Health Services Division website in the event that you need assistance (
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/MentalHealthPrograms-Svcs.aspx).
BENEFITS: There are no direct benefits for participants. Indirect benefits include contributing to the generation of new knowledge about the topic of social media use and perceptions for families with children with Autism.
RESULTS: Results after the completion of the study can be obtained through the CUI Library, Concordia University Irvine, 1530 Concordia, Irvine, CA 92612.
CONTACT: If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this study, please contact Kimberly Louie, at
kimberly.louie@eagles.cui.edu. You may also contact my advisor, Kara Bratton, Ph.D., at
kara.bratton@cui.edu. You may contact me for answers to pertinent questions about my research study and subjects' rights. In case of a research-related injury to the subject, contact Kara Bratton, Ph.D., at
