September 1, 2011 Dear Student: We are asking for your participation in a research study to help us better understand the EnvironMentors program. The outcome of this research will help us improve the design and delivery of the program to future students, and help insure that we are meeting our shared goals to provide a quality experience that affects participants’ interest in environmental science, nature and college. Because you are a participant in the EnvironMentors program, your input is valuable. There are no known risks in participating in this research. You will be asked to take a survey either online or in hard copy format at the beginning of the program, and again at the end. Each survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and be kept strictly confidential. Documents which link your name with returned surveys will be shredded after all of the surveying is complete. In addition, we would like to review the content you post on your EnvironMentors Online Community website. During the program you will be asked to include things such as photographs, blogs about your experience in EnvironMentors and documents you create such as your research paper. For this research we would like to review your EnvironMentors personal site so we can learn more about your thoughts on environmental science, college and careers. Your participation in this research is voluntary. If you decide to participate in this study, you may withdraw your consent and stop participating at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a participant, please call the Research Integrity and Compliance Review Office at Colorado State University at (970) 491-1655. Final results will be available in fall 2010 by calling the Human Dimension of Natural Resources Department at Colorado State University at (970) 491-6591. Sincerely,
Brett L. Bruyere, PhD Principal Investigator
Kirsten Broadfoot, PhD Co-Investigator
TITLE OF STUDY: EnvironMentors Research PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Brett Bruyere,PhD brett.bruyere@colostate.edu WHY AM I BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THIS RESEARCH? We would like you to participate in a research project to help us understand the most successful parts of the EnvironMentors program. WHO IS DOING THE STUDY? Colorado State University, in partnership with the National Council for Science and Environment are conducting a study to assess the EnvironMentors program. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY? The purpose of the study is to determine if the program has an impact on your perceptions and attitudes about college, environmental issues and science. We also hope to understand what components of the program influenced those outcomes. WHERE IS THE STUDY GOING TO TAKE PLACE AND HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? The study will include a survey at the beginning and end of the 2011-12 program. We will also review that materials and thoughts you post on your EnvironMentors community profile. If you are one of the students from your chapter that is selected to go to Washington DC for the annual EnvironMentors award ceremony, we will also ask that you participate in a discussion with us for about one hour on your thoughts about the program. WHAT WILL I BE ASKED TO DO? You will be asked to complete a written survey that is approximately 30 questions and requires 10-15 minutes to complete. This survey will occur at the beginning and end of the program. Second, you will be asked to maintain your individual profile on the EnvironMentors community website. Lastly, if you are selected to go to Washington DC, we ask for your participation in a one-hour discussion. ARE THERE REASONS WHY I SHOULD NOT TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY? No. If you need assistance in completing the survey, we can provide that help for you. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS? There are no risks to participating in this survey. ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS FROM TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY? While there are no direct benefits for your participation in this survey, your input will help us continue to improve and enhance the EnvironMentors program. DO I HAVE TO TAKE PART IN THE STUDY? Your participation in this research is voluntary. If you decide to participate in the study, you may withdraw your consent and stop participating at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. WHAT WILL IT COST ME TO PARTICIPATE? There are no costs to your involvement in this survey.
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WHO WILL SEE THE INFORMATION THAT I GIVE? We will keep private all research records that identify you, to the extent allowed by law. Your information will be combined with information from other people taking part in the study. When we write about the study to share it with other researchers, we will write about the combined information we have gathered. You will not be identified in these written materials. We may publish the results of this study; however, we will keep you name and other identifying information private. We will make every effort to prevent anyone who is not on the research team from knowing that you gave us information, or what that information is. For example, your name will be kept separate from your research records and these two things will be stored in different places under lock and key. You should know, however, that there are some circumstances in which we may have to show your information to other people. CAN MY TAKING PART IN THE STUDY END EARLY? Unless you are no longer participating in the EnvironMentors program at the time of the post-test, there is no foreseeable reason for an early termination to your participation. WILL I RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION FOR TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY? You will receive incentives throughout the duration of the program for participation in this study. This will usually be $5-10 gift cards at a merchant near your school. You’ll receive 4-5 of these gift cards during the year as long as you continue to participate. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM INJURED BECAUSE OF THE RESEARCH? The Colorado Governmental Immunity Act determines and may limit Colorado State University's legal responsibility if an injury happens because of this study. Claims against the University must be filed within 180 days of the injury. WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS? Before you decide whether to accept this invitation to take part in the study, please ask any questions that might come to mind now. Later, if you have questions about the study, you can contact the investigator, Brett Bruyere at 970 491-6591. If you have any questions about your rights as a volunteer in this research, contact Janell Barker, Human Research Administrator at 970-491-1655. We will give you a copy of this consent form to take with you. Your signature acknowledges that you have read the information stated and willingly sign this consent form. Your signature also acknowledges that you have received, on the date signed, a copy of this document containing ____ pages.
_________________________________________ Signature of agreeing to take part in the study
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_______________________________ Printed name of person agreeing to take part in the study
_______________________________________ Name of person providing information to participant
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