California State University Fullerton
Research Study Consent Form
Study Title: Development and assessment of an educational audio tour of rare and endangered trees at the Fullerton Arboretum
Researchers: James White, Dr. Joel K. Abraham, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Department of Biological Science
You are being asked to take part in a research study carried out by James White, an undergraduate student working under the supervision of Dr. Joel K. Abraham. 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 and leave the study at any time. There will be no penalty or loss of services or benefits if you decide to not take part in the study.
What is this study about?
This research study is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of an audio tour as an educational tool. The audio tour is intended to help guests to the Fullerton Arboretum learn about rarity, the ecological and economic value of plants, and conservation.
You are being asked to participate in this study because you are a student at California State University, Fullerton and over the age of 18. It is expected that many CSUF students may take this tour in the future, making survey data from the student population especially important.
What will I be asked to do if I am in this study?
If you take part in the study, you will be asked to complete one or more of the following:
- Complete a short presurvey to establish preliminary understanding about conservation and plant biology. This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete
- Take an audio tour of rare and endangered trees at the Fullerton Arboretum. The tour takes approximately 30-60 minutes to complete.
- Complete a short post-survey to assess your understanding of the learning objectives and provide feedback on the design of the tour. This survey should take approximately 15 minutes.
Your total time commitment is approximately 1-1.5 hours. You may refuse to answer any question in the survey without penalty and may freely withdraw from the study at any time.
Are there any benefits to me if I am in this study?
There are no direct benefits to taking part in this study, although you may learn some information that could be helpful in your biology courses. However, the data from this survey will be used to improve the quality of the associated audio tour. We hope that this audio tour will improve people’s understanding of the natural world and provide a structured experience for visitors to the Fullerton Arboretum.
Are there any risks to me if I am in this study?
The potential risks from taking part in this study are primarily associated with visiting the Fullerton Arboretum. Several plants on the tour have thorns or spines, and some can be poisonous if ingested. Bees, spiders, and wasps are common in the garden, and small patches of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) can be found near some of the tour stops. These risks are associated with any visit to the Fullerton Arboretum, and the audio tour does not place participants at any increased likelihood of experiencing them. Another potential risk is that of minor distress associated with answering questions about extinction and endangered species. However, you may choose to not answer any question that makes you feel uncomfortable. Finally, it is important to note that your participation in the research is entirely voluntary, and your decision to participate in the research will not be shared with your faculty instructor. You have the opportunity to earn extra credit without participating in the research study.
Will my information be kept anonymous or confidential?
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. We will not collect your name on the surveys; a unique code will be used to match your pre and post survey. All survey data will be stored in password-protected storage or a locked cabinet in a private office. All of the researchers listed above will have access to the data that you agree to share.
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 four years, to continue work on the associated audio tour during further modifications and assessments. After that time, the survey data will be destroyed.
Are there any costs or payments for being in this study?
Participants can choose to enter an opportunity drawing for one of two Amazon Kindle Fire tablets. The opportunity drawing will take place after completion of data collection, and participants will be chosen randomly and contacted by email. To enter the opportunity drawing, participants must enter their name and email address on a separate form after completing the post survey, which will ensure that your name is not associated with the data.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have questions about this study or the information in this form, please contact the undergraduate researcher, James White, at (865) 387-7588 or at jbwiv@csu.fullerton.edu. You can also contact the faculty advisor, Joel K. Abraham at 657-278-3138 or at jkabraham@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) 278-7719, or e-mail irb@fullerton.edu
What are my rights as a research study volunteer?
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.
What does selecting YES on this consent form mean?
Selecting YES means that:
- You understand the information given to you in this form
- You have been able to ask the researcher questions and state any concerns
- The researcher has responded to your questions and concerns
- You believe you understand the research study and the potential benefits and risks that are involved.