California State University, Fullerton
Research Study Consent Form

Study Title: Hate Crime Victim Empathy Assessment
Researchers: Alexa Delgado, Dominique Yepez, and Susan Y. Shimazu, Faculty Advisor

You are being asked to take part in a research study carried out by Alexa Delgado, Dominique Yepez, and Susan Y. Shimazu, Faculty Advisor. 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 us 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.

What is this study about?

This research study is being conducted to assess participant empathy towards individuals affected by incidents of violence, hate, discrimination, bullying, bias, or abuse.

You are being asked to take part because you are a Latina women or a male.

Taking part in the study will take about 15 minutes. You will be asked to read an article and rate your empathy towards the victims of the hate incident or discrimination.

You cannot take part in this study if you are under 18 or do not meet the recruitment criteria. For this study we are recruiting 16 individuals who are Latina women and 16 individuals who are male.

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:
1. Read and sign a consent.
2. Provide information on your demographics.
3. Read two articles that will be provided on incidents of violence, hate, discrimination, bullying, bias, or abuse.
4. Rate your empathy towards the victim and perpetrator in the event.
5. Some participants will be asked to listen to an audio file.

Are there any benefits to me if I am in this study?

There is no direct benefit to you from being in this study. However, society as a whole may benefit from this study by better understanding the ways in which individual empathy develops in instances of violence, hate, discrimination, bullying, bias, or abuse.

Are there any risks to me if I am in this study?

The probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in this research study are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests. However, you will be asked to read articles on instances of violence, hate, discrimination, bullying, bias, or abuse which may be triggering for some individuals.

Will my information be kept confidential?

The data for this study will aggregated and reported as a group for CSUF classroom and public exhibition activities. Your individual answers 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.

The results of this study may be published or presented at professional meetings only on an aggregated basis and the identities of all research participants will remain confidential.

The data for this study will be kept for a minimum of 3 years and will be used for future educational use, presentations, publications. Any data shared on an individual level in the classroom will be de-identified prior to release of information.

You will not receive money or any other form of compensation for taking part in this study.

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 researcher Alexa Delgado at alexkdt01@gmailcom or Dominique Yepez at yepezdominique@gmail.com. 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.

Statement of Consent

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