UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
IMPLIED CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH
TITLE: Exploring Attitudes Towards and Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Individuals

SPONSOR: Unsponsored

FUNDER: Unfunded

INVESTIGATORS: Dr. Ranjani Somayaji (PI), Dr. Caley Shukalek (co-PI), Dr. Irene Ma (co-I)
403-220-4098; cbshukal@ucalgary.ca

INTRODUCTION

Ranjani Somayaji (BScPT, MD, MPH, FRCPC) and associates from the Department of Medicine at the University of Calgary are conducting a research study.

This consent form is only part of the process of informed consent. It should give you the basic idea of what the research is about and what your participation will involve. If you would like more detail about something mentioned here, or information not included here, please ask. Take the time to read this carefully and to understand any accompanying information.

You are invited to be in this study because of the world-wide effects of COVID-19. Your participation in this research study is voluntary.

WHY IS THIS STUDY BEING DONE? 

We are currently experiencing a global pneumonia pandemic lacking any recent precedent, caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). To date, it has infected over 1,000,000 persons worldwide. Drastic measures have been taken by governments and public health officials in an attempt to decrease the spread of this infection. These measures have included restrictions on border crossing, airline travel, work, and gathering of people for any reason. The impact of both the infection and the responses taken may be affecting individuals in many different ways. 

The purpose of this research study is to assess the impact of the local and global measures as they may be far reaching, we aim to explore these measures on the lives of individuals.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY?

We do not have a clear sense of how many people will participate in this study at this time but estimate it could range between 500 to over 100,000 people depending on social media promotion and site access.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF TAKE PART IN THIS RESEARCH STUDY?

We are inviting any English-speaking person, age 14 years or older, around the world to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives. If you volunteer to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete an online, anonymous survey. The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete, depending on certain responses which may have follow-up questions. No personal or identifying information is being collected and all data will be analyzed in aggregate.

ARE THERE ANY POTENTIAL RISKS OR DISCOMFORTS THAN I CAN EXPECT FROM THIS STUDY?

Some questions may cause personal or psychological discomfort as we ask about how the pandemic may be affecting your life. Please note you do not have to answer any questions you do not wish to.

HOW LONG WILL I BE IN THIS STUDY?

This is a one-time online survey that may take 15-20 minutes to complete.

ARE THERE ANY POTENTIAL BENEFITS IF I PARTICIPATE?

There will be no direct benefit to you from participating in this study. However, this study may help the researchers learn more about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and advise government and public health officials for ongoing strategies and policies for pandemic management.

Will I receive any compensation or reimbursement?

There is no cost to the study. You will not be paid for participating.
CAN I STOP BEING IN THIS STUDY?

Participation in this study is completely voluntary. All participants have the option to not answer questions throughout the survey and still continue. Each question has an option for “I prefer to not answer this question.” You can stop the survey at any time, but please note that your data may still be recorded and included. If you wish to have your data removed, please email the study team immediately with the time you started or stopped the survey. Please note that since we aren’t collecting personal identifiers, there is no guarantee that we can identify which response is yours should you wish to remove it.

WILL INFORMATION ABOUT ME AND MY PARTICIPATION BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?

All data will be kept confidential and stored securely. SurveyMonkey is an online survey platform with servers located in the USA and as such is subject to U.S. laws. In particular, the U.S. Patriot Act, which allows authorities access to the records of internet service providers. If you choose to participate in the survey, your responses to the survey questions will be stored and accessed in the USA.  Survey responses, however, cannot be linked to your computer.   All data is encrypted and stored directly on its servers.  Researcher access to the survey data is password-protected and the transmission is encrypted.  Only members of the research team will have access to the data, and all data will be analyzed in aggregate.

HOW LONG WILL INFORMATION FROM THIS STUDY BE KEPT?

In accordance with the University of Calgary’s Data Retention Policy, we will keep data for five years after the completion of the study.

Any future use of this research data is required to undergo review by a Research Ethics Board.

WHOM MAY I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS STUDY?

The Research Team:
You may contact Dr. C Shukalek at 403-220-4098 with any questions or concerns about the research or your participation in this study.

Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB):
If you have any questions concerning your rights as a possible participant in this research, please contact the Chair, Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board, University of Calgary at 403-220-7990.

AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE

Your decision to complete and return this survey will be interpreted as an indication of your agreement to participate. In no way does this waive your legal rights nor release the investigators or involved institutions from their legal and professional responsibilities.

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time.

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