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1. Informed Consent

INVESTIGATORS:
Beth Archer-Kuhn, PhD, MSW   
University of Calgary 403-220-5425

Michael Saini, PhD, MSW    
University of Toronto 416-946-5027

Judith Hughes, PhD, MSW   
University of Manitoba 204-474-8261

The information in this consent form should give you a basic understanding of the aims of the project and what your participation will entail. We ask that you take the time to read through the information carefully. If you have any further questions about information not included here or want to know more about something we have mentioned, we encourage you to ask. You will receive a copy of this form.

 
BACKGROUND

Beth Archer-Kuhn, Michael Saini and Judy Hughes are conducting research about shared parenting. You are invited to participate in this mixed methods research project as a service provider during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY?

This project proposes to explore the impacts of shared parenting on mothers, and mothers’ understandings and experiences of the impact of shared parenting on their young children; children ages four and younger. Mothers, some who have experienced domestic violence (physical and coercive control), and some mothers who have not experienced domestic violence will all have experienced a shared parenting arrangement.

During this study the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic arrived. In addition to understanding the women’s experiences of shared parenting at this time, we are also wanting to better understand the experiences of service providers who come into contact with the woman. We are wondering about the service providers experiences during this pandemic. For example, there is little information available on how service providers are currently engaging with women in domestic violence relationships. We are seeking feedback from service providers who we have already made connections with for our Shared Parenting study (and potentially some we have not yet connected with) on how they are providing support to women/children during this time. We are hopeful that this information will help to inform us how what resources can support agencies and women during this time.

WHAT WOULD I HAVE TO DO?

You are invited to participate in completing an on-line questionnaire. We anticipate that the survey should take you 10 minutes or less to complete. The questionnaire has a few demographic questions and then asks about service provision for women who share parenting and experience domestic violence (or not). Additional questions ask about what service provision looks like in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and your thoughts about the risks and benefits during this time.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
 
The completion of the questionnaire is not of the nature expected to produce cognitive, emotional or psychological difficulty, although we understand that this is a very unusual and potentially challenging time for everyone. It is for this reason that we are seeking your input.  Participation is voluntary and anonymous, and there are no possibilities for socioeconomic ramifications.  The co-principal investigators are not in a position of influence over you.

WILL I BENEFIT IF I TAKE PART?

You will have the opportunity to share your experiences and opinions regarding service provision to women who share parenting during this challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic, those who have experienced domestic violence and those who have not.   You will have an opportunity to inform research on the service provider experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no other direct benefits to you.

DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE?

Participation in this study is voluntary and confidential.

You can withdraw from the study by simply not completing the on-line survey. Once the survey is complete and because it is anonymous, your data will not be able to be removed. The information you provide in the questionnaire will not be associated to you or any other participant. The results will be reported in a summary form. 

WILL I BE PAID FOR PARTICIPATING, OR DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING?

There is no cost to you for participating in the study, nor are we able to offer an honourarium.

WILL MY RECORDS BE KEPT PRIVATE?

If you choose to participate in this study, your responses to the survey (data) will be assigned a code (for example, P001 to represent participant number 1). Your private, anonymous information will be reported in summary form and in no way will it be linked to you. The Principal Investigator will keep the anonymous data on their password protected computer in their secure home office until they are able to return to the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary where it will be transferred to the desktop computer in a secured office and on a password protected computer. 

SIGNATURES
 
You are not required to place your signature on any form so that you may remain anonymous. Instead, clicking on the “X” below indicates that you have understood to your satisfaction the information provided regarding your participation in the research project and agree to participate. You will then proceed to the on-line survey on survey monkey. In no way does this waive your legal rights nor release the investigators or involved institutions from their legal and professional responsibilities. If you have further questions concerning your rights as a possible participant in this research, please contact:

 Dr. Beth Archer-Kuhn (403) 220-5425

 If you have any questions concerning your rights as a possible participant in this research, please contact the Research Ethics Analyst, Research Services, University of Calgary at (403) 220-4283 or (403) 220-6289 ; e-mail cfreb@ucalgary.ca.

I have read the above information and consent to the following:
1.     My participation in the study is entirely voluntary.
2.     I may discontinue my participation by not completing the survey on survey monkey without any adverse consequence.
3.     My responses will be kept confidential and anonymous within the limits of the law and, a code will be used instead of my name (ie. P001)
4.     I understand that are confidential and that summary data will be maintained by the Principle Investigator.
 

The University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board, the University of Manitoba and the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board have approved this research study.

Question Title

* 1. I am providing my consent to participate in the study

 
 12% of survey complete.

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