Project Title: Real Leaders, Virtual World: A Predictive Correlational Study of Authentic Leadership Behaviors and Social Media Engagement
Identification of Investigators & Purpose of Study
You are being asked to participate in a research study conducted by Dr. Mariama Njie and Jordyn Elston with educational status Ph.D. Student, from Carolina University. The purpose of this study is to determine whether social media engagement predicts authentic leadership behaviors. This study will contribute to the completion of a dissertation.
Research Procedures
Should you decide to participate in this research study, you will be asked to sign this consent form once all your questions have been answered to your satisfaction. This study consists of screening questions, two surveys, and demographic questions. You will be asked to provide answers to a series of questions related to leadership behaviors and social media use to determine whether social media engagement predicts authentic leadership behaviors, as well as demographic information.
Time Required
Participation in this study will require approximately 10-15 minutes of your time.
Risks
The investigators perceive the only foreseeable risk as breach of confidentiality. However, all possible measures will be taken to protect the confidentiality of your information.
Benefits
Potential benefits from participation in this study include contributing to a broader understanding of whether social media engagement predicts authentic leadership behaviors in professional settings. The findings from this research may help inform leadership development practices, improve social media communication strategies, and support future research on authentic leadership in virtual environments. There are no direct personal benefits to you as a participant.
Confidentiality
The results of this research will be presented at a dissertation defense and may be presented in a professional publication. The results of this project will be coded in such a way that the respondent’s identity will not be attached to the final form of this study. The researchers retain the right to use, share, and publish non-identifiable data. While individual responses are confidential, aggregate data will be presented, representing generalizations about the responses as a whole. All data will be stored in a secure location accessible to only the researchers. Upon completion of the study, all information that matches up individual respondents with their answers will be destroyed via data deletion.
Participation & Withdrawal
Your participation is entirely voluntary. You are free to choose to not participate. Should you choose to participate, you can withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind. You may also refuse to answer any individual question without consequences. You are entitled to a copy of this consent form. Please request one from the researcher at this time.
Questions about the Study
If you have questions or concerns during the time of your participation in this study, or after its completion, or if you would like to receive a copy of the final aggregate results of this study, please contact:
PI Dr. Mariama Njie
John Wesley School of Leadership and Innovation
Carolina University
Telephone: (425) 314-4941
Email Address: njiem@carolinau.edu
Co-PI Jordyn Elston
John Wesley School of Leadership and Innovation
Carolina University
Telephone: (205) 422-3242
Email Address: elstonj@carolinau.edu
Questions about Your Rights as a Research Subject:
Dr. Rosalie P. Kern
Chair, Institutional Review Board
Carolina University
(336) 714-7956
kernr@carolinau.edu
