Confirm you want to do this survey

Shepherd University Informed Consent Form

The purpose of this study is to explore how emotions are processed during a stressful situation. The sample will include approximately 72 individuals. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to imagine an unpleasant scenario such as you or someone else failing an exam, then to write about it for 5 minutes. You will also be asked to answer some questions about your feelings (20 items) and emotional processing habits (10 items), then to perform another 5-minute writing task based on a positive scenario such as you or someone else receiving a perfect score on an exam. Lastly, you will be asked to provide some demographic information (3 items). Altogether your participation should take approximately 15 minutes. Your participation in this study involves no reasonably foreseeable risks. Participation provides no direct benefits to you, though the study will provide a better understanding of how we process emotions. Please read the following information before beginning the survey.

I agree to participate in the research conducted by Connor Cote under supervision of Lindsey Levitan. I understand that the proposed research has been reviewed by the Shepherd University Institutional Review Board and that to the best of their ability they have determined that the procedures involve no invasion of my rights of privacy, nor do they incorporate any procedure or requirements which may be found morally or ethically objectionable. I understand that my participation in this research is voluntary, that I may refuse to participate, and that I may terminate my participation in this study without penalty.

I understand that my anonymity will be maintained in analysis and reporting. Though Sona’s Experiment Management System (EMS) automatically records the names of participants signing up through Sona, the researcher will disable his ability to view that information. Thus, no personally identifiable data will be collected from me by the researcher. To enable credit granting, the EMS administrator will be able to see the names of participants who signed up through Sona. I understand that PsyToolkit does not collect any identifying information during my participation, and that Connor Cote and Lindsey Levitan will have access to the data from this study. I understand that the data may be shared with others for research purposes.

I understand that in consenting to participate, I give Connor Cote and Lindsey Levitan permission to present this work, both in written and oral form, without further permission from me.

If you have any questions about this study, you should feel free to ask them now or anytime throughout the study by contacting the primary investigator, Connor Cote at ccote01@rams.shepherd.edu.

ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR RIGHTS AS A RESEARCH PARTICIPANT MAY BE ADDRESSED TO THE SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (Jason Best, IRB Chair, 304.876.5331). ALL RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ARE CARRIED OUT BY INVESTIGATORS AT SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY ARE GOVERNED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IN CASE OF A RESEARCH-RELATED INJURY, CONTACT THE ABOVE PERSON AS SOON AS YOU ARE MEDICALLY ABLE.

If you are under the age of 18 years, please do not participate in this study.

I understand that completing the study’s procedure indicates my understanding of the above information and represents my informed consent to participate. If you agree to participate, please click the button below to begin.