If you are 18 years or older, you are invited to participate in a voluntary research project conducted by Cindy Y. Stroschein, M.S., doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Capella University's Harold Abel School of Psychology. This study is a part of requirements for completion of a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. Capella University awarded IRB approval for this study on 07/13/2005.
The current study, titled Social Comfort and Internet Use, seeks to determine whether there are differences in reported Internet use patterns and social behavior between groups of people.
You were selected to participate based on your response to an advertisement on Google or Yahoo search engines. If you volunteer to participate in the study, you will be asked to complete a survey asking you about personal information including your age, sex and marital status; your feelings about face-to-face interactions and internet interactions with people; aspects of your use of the Internet; and aspects of your social and educational life. The study is estimated to take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
You may feel uncomfortable answering questions about yourself, your feelings and your behavior. If you are completing the survey on a computer accessible to others, there is a risk that they may gain information about your answers. There is a risk that you may become bored from answering the survey questions. A debriefing will be provided at the end of the study to provide resources for help with problematic emotions and internet use.
Those who are interested in the study results will be able to return to the author's web site to read the conclusions after completion of the study. At the end of the questionnaire, there is information about health and internet use, including useful web site addresses. There is also a space to make any comments you might have about the study.
Society may benefit from increased understanding of the effects of emotions on internet use patterns, which may lead to improved online services to meet emotional needs.
Payment for Participation:
No payment is provided for participation in this research study.
Identifying information collected includes your IP address. This information is used only to assign a unique numerical identifier to each participant, and is discarded thereafter. The location of the computer through which you are accessing the survey may be monitored.
Participation in this study is completely voluntary. If you decide to participate, you may end your participation at any time without consequences. You can end your participation by selecting another website in your web browser, or by closing your web browser. You may refuse to answer any questions. Completing the survey will constitute consent to participate in the study.
If you have questions or concerns about this research study, you can contact the Principal Investigator:
Cindy Y. Stroschein, Doctoral Student, 8552 Sunny Lane, Breezy Point, MN 56472.
Email [email protected]
You can also contact Richard Van Haveren, Ph.D., Capella University, 225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402.
Email [email protected]
You may withdraw your consent and discontinue participation in this study at any time, without penalty. You are not waiving legal claims, rights or remedies if you choose to participate in this study. You may print out a copy of this form by selecting to print this web page in your web browser. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject, contact the researcher at [email protected], or Gail Lorenz, IRB reviewer, at the Office for Protection of Research Subjects at Capella University, 225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402.
