California State University Fullerton
                                                                                  Research Consent Form

  Researchers:  Researcher: Marlene Weirich, Psychology Department, mweirich9@csu.fullerton.edu

                        Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kristin Beals, Psychology Department, kbeals@fullerton.edu


 You are being asked to take part in a research study carried out by Marlene Weirich. This consent form explains the research study and your part in it if you decide to join the study.  Please read the form carefully, taking as much time as you need.  Ask the researcher to explain anything you don’t understand. You can decide not to join the study. If you join the study, you can change your mind later or quit at any time.  There will be no penalty or loss of services or benefits if you decide to not take part in the study or quit later.  


This research study is being conducted to add to the growing research of the LGBTQ+ community. Specifically, the current study is assessing communication factors that may potentially affect the psychological well-being of same sex partners. Taking part in the study will take about 30 minutes. Please do not take part in this study if you are under 18 years of age or have never been in a same sex relationship. 


If you take part in the study, you will be asked to complete a survey answering questions about your most recent same sex relationship or the same sex relationship in which you experienced the most internal conflict in regards to how safe or happy you felt with your partner. Please answer the questions to the best of your ability; however if you come across a question that makes you feel uncomfortable, you may choose to skip that question and continue on with the rest of the survey. Once completed, the results will be used by the researcher to complete a research article to potentially publish. The results will also be provided to the researchers who graciously loaned their scales for the following survey. 


Potential benefits of participating in this study include the ability to express any potential repressed feelings you have had about your current or past relationship(s), gain a better understanding of the strength of the communication between you and your partner after answering a series of questions, and your participation in this study will add to the growing research of the LGBTQ+ community to better serve the community’s mental health needs. 


Potential risks of participating in this study include distress or discomfort over some survey questions. If you feel any discomfort, you may skip the question or click the finish button to end the survey. You will not be penalized for doing so. 

 

The data for this study will be kept confidential to the extent allowed by law. No published results will identify you, and your name will not be associated with the findings. Under certain circumstances, information that identifies you may be released for internal and external reviews of this project. 


At the end of the survey you will be asked to provide your name and the best email to contact you if you wish to be entered into an opportunity drawing. However, when exported, this data will be randomized so your answers cannot be linked to your contact information. Your privacy will be maintained on a password protected computer. Only the researcher, faculty supervisor, and any other persons qualified to help run tests on the data for the researcher will have any access to this computer. The results of this study may be published or presented at professional meetings, but the identities of all research participants will remain anonymous.The data for this study will be kept for an indefinite number of years for publication and educational purposes. 


There will be no costs to you for taking part in this study.

 You will have the option to be entered into an opportunity drawing for taking part in this study. If you choose to quit the study you will receive the option to be entered if you completed some portion of the survey.

If you are a student at California State University, Fullerton and heard about this study during your class from either the researcher or your professor, you may also have the option to receive extra credit at the professor’s discretion. If you choose to be entered in the opportunity drawing for taking part in this study, you will be asked to provide your name and best contact e-mail. 

If you have questions about this study or the information in this form, please contact the researcher Marlene Weirich at mweirich9@csu.fullerton.edu. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, or would like to report a concern or complaint about this study, please contact the Institutional Review Board at (657) 278-7640, or e-mail irb@fullerton.edu

Your participation in this research study is completely voluntary.  You may choose not to be a part of this study.  There will be no penalty to you if you choose not to take part.  You may choose not to answer specific questions or to stop participating at any time.  


By clicking the button below, you acknowledge that your participation in the study is voluntary, you have read and understand what is required of you, you are 18 years of age, and that you are aware that you may choose to terminate your participation in the study at any time and for any reason.

Please note that this survey will be best displayed on a laptop or desktop computer.  Some features may be less compatible for use on a mobile device.