Study Information
 
Title of the Project: Ethics as a Requirement among PhD Graduates in Public Administration
Principal Investigator: Daniel U. Scott/Doctoral Candidate, Helms School of Government, Liberty University
 
Invitation to be Part of a Research Study
You are invited to participate in a research study. To participate, you must be 18 years of age or older, a public servant who is a Ph.D. graduate from public administration in a CHEA-accredited university and have worked in your respective public service department or organization for at least 3 years. Taking part in this research project is voluntary.
 
Please take time to read this entire form and ask questions before deciding whether to take part in this research.
 
What is the Study About and Why is it Being Done?
The purpose of the study is to explore how ethics can be incorporated as part of graduation requirements for Ph.D. programs and the impact it would have on the field of public administration.
 
What Will Happen if You Take Part in This Study?
If you agree to be in this study, I will ask you to do the following:
1.     Participate in a telephone/virtual, audio-recorded interview (30-45 minutes).
2.     Review and validate transcribed interview responses via email (15-20 minutes).
 
How Could You or Others Benefit From This Study?
Participants should not expect to receive a direct benefit from taking part in this study.
 
Benefits to society include providing evidence whether Ph.D. programs offer ethics as a stand-alone course or whether ethics courses are integrated within the other major units in public administration.
 
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.
 
How Will Personal Information be Protected?
The records of this study will be kept private. Published reports will not include any information that will make it possible to identify a subject. Research records will be stored securely, and only the researcher will have access to the records.
·      Participant responses will be kept confidential by replacing names with pseudonyms.
·      Interviews will be conducted in a location where others will not easily overhear the conversation.
·      Data collected from you may be used in future research studies or shared with other researchers. If data collected from you is reused or shared, any information that could identify you, if applicable, will be removed beforehand.
·      Data will be stored on a password-locked computer. After three years, all electronic records will be deleted.
·      Recordings will be stored on a password locked computer for three years and then deleted. The researcher and members of his doctoral committee will have access to these recordings. 

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 to not answer any question or withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.
What Should You Do if You Decide to Withdraw From the Study?
If you choose to withdraw from the study, please contact the researcher at the email address/phone number included in the next paragraph. Should you choose to withdraw, data collected from you will be destroyed immediately and will not be included in this study.

Whom Do You Contact if You Have Questions or Concerns About the Study?
The researcher conducting this study is Daniel Scott. You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you are encouraged to contact him at DScott70@Liberty.edu.You may also contact the researcher’s faculty sponsor, Dr. Eugene Belmain, at ERBelmain@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 would like 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 in an ethical manner 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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* 1. What is your age, in years?

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* 2. What is your gender?

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* 3. How many years have you worked in Public Administration?

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* 4. Did you graduate with a PhD in Public Administration from a CHEA-accredited university in the United States?

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* 5. Was Ethics a stand-alone course in your PhD in Public Administration program?

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* 6. If you are interested in participating in an interview to discuss your experiences with ethics in your PhD in Public Administration program, could you please share your email address?

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* 7. If you are interested in participating in an interview then please provide your name.

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