4 December 2022
HSR-22-23-216
  
Dear potential participant,

My name is Michelle Suarez. I am currently working under the direction of Zac Johnson in completion of my master’s thesis.

I am conducting a study to understand how communication between athletes and their athletic trainers impacts adherence in injury rehabilitation programs. I am recruiting current and former athletes within the NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, and NJCAA college sport divisions. I seek to understand how our communication can improve an athlete’s experience while competing at a collegiate level. You’ll be asked to answer a series of questions regarding your experience as a college athlete.

In order to participate you must be 18 years old and have met the following criteria:
 
(a) participated in a collegiate level sport for at least one full season
(b) sustained at least one injury in which you have received treatment by an athletic trainer

There are no known risks associated with participation in this study. Your participation will involve taking this questionnaire which you should be able to complete in approximately 10-15 minutes. If you voluntarily choose to participate, please complete the following questionnaire. Read each statement carefully and respond by supplying the answer that best represents your experience as a collegiate athlete. If you are unable to answer a question, or feel uncomfortable answering a question, you may leave the blank empty. There is neither a right nor a wrong answer to any question. You may stop at any time without fear of penalty. Do not provide any identification within the questionnaire. Your involvement within the study will be kept confidential.

Results from this study may be published, but identifying information will be reported in group format. No names or personally identifying information will be included for publication. Your responses will be grouped together with others in order to answer the proposed research questions. Research records will be kept confidential to the extent allowed by law. Data will be stored in a secure filing cabinet for up to five years and only the primary investigator will have access to it. Your participation is voluntary and you are free to withdraw from participation at any time without suffering penalty or loss of benefits or services you may otherwise be entitled to. I have no conflict of interest financial or otherwise in the outcome of this research. If you would like more information about this research project, please feel free to contact me at misuarez@fullerton.edu. If you have questions about the rights of human research participants contact the CSUF IRB Office at (657) 278-7719 or irb@fullerton.edu.  
 
Sincerely,
Michelle Suarez
Human Communication Studies Department

I have carefully read and/or I have had the terms used in this consent form and their significance explained to me. By completing the attached questionnaire, I agree that I am at least 18 years of age and agree to participate in this project.