CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH
Marlborough School
Bethany Lutheran College
Study Title: The Effects of the Image
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not certain aspects of an image can have an impact on the viewer's political opinions. Little research has been conducted that clearly outlines the relationship between symbols in political propaganda and their subsequent impact on voter decision-making. Hence, this study will use people of voting age (18 years or older) to look test the research hypothesis.
Procedures: Participation in this study will involve approximately a 15-minute-long survey presented on a Google Form. If you agree to participate, you will be asked to answer a series of questions given on a Likert scale that best characterizes your reaction to a given prompt.
Potential Risks: Participating in this study may involve psychological discomforts especially since the study deals with political questions which might be uncomfortable for some especially in the current state of national politics as well as language structure. Further this survey is moderately long with similar questions which might cause some boredom. We anticipate that your participation in this survey presents no greater risk than everyday use of the internet. Every effort will be made to minimize risks and you may withdraw at any time without penalty.
Potential Benefits: Participating in this study may result in new information that could benefit future political campaigns and the way they utilize their social media platforms. Your alternative to participating in this study is to not participate.
Incentives for Participation: By participating in this study, you enter a raffle for the chance to win one of three (3) $20 Amazon gift cards.
Confidentiality and Data Protection: Data collected from this study are completely anonymous in that no personally identifiable information will be collected and the information you choose to share cannot be connected back to you. Results and presentations from this study may be shared with the community and will not identify you by name. Only authorized research personnel may access the study data and records stored on Google Drive for no longer than 1 year. Your data, including de-identified data, may be kept for use in future research.
Questions or Concerns: If you have any questions or concerns about the study or your rights as a participant, please contact Ari Roby, M.A., Honors Research in Social Science, Marlborough School, at ari.tuluenga@marlborough.org and/or Professor Brian Klebig, Ph.D, Bethany Lutheran College, Brian.Klebig@blc.edu.
Voluntary Participation: Your participation in this study is voluntary, and you may choose not to participate or end your participation at any time without penalty and no loss of benefits to which you were otherwise entitled. You may refuse to answer any questions that you do not want to answer and still remain in the study.
Consent: By completing this form digitally and clicking the “Next” button, I certify that I have read and understood the above consent form, that I am 18 years old or older, and that I am willing to participate in this research study.