HOW WILL MY PARTICIPATION BE ANONYMOUS?
This study is anonymous. All data will be coded with a number, and no identifying information will be collected. No identifying information will be associated with any of the data, analyses, or methods of dissemination. This means that the principal investigator (Dr. Dwight Mazmanian) will not know who has participated. Only the research team will have access to the data. However, please know that SurveyMonkey is hosted by a server located in the USA. The US Patriot Act permits U.S. law enforcement officials, for the purpose of antiterrorism investigation, to seek a court order that allows access to the personal records of any person without the person’s knowledge. In view of this, we cannot absolutely guarantee the full anonymity of your data. With your consent to participate in this study, you acknowledge this.
WHAT WILL MY DATA BE USED FOR?
The data in this research is being collected as a part of doctoral dissertation project. The findings will be used for research publications and/or presentations at scholarly conferences. The data may also be used for future research. Your identity will remain anonymous throughout these processes. All data will be securely stored on secure, password-protected computers for seven years.
HOW CAN I RECEIVE A COPY OF THE RESEARCH RESULTS?
A summary of the results can be made available to you by email once the study has been completed. If you are interested in receiving an overview of the findings, please email the researchers at [hhab.laboratory@gmail.com] with the subject heading “Results Summary Request – Lifestyle Choices”. We will email you a copy of the Results Summary once it is made available, which may take up to two years after you complete the survey.
WHAT IF I WANT TO WITHDRAW FROM THE STUDY?
Your participation in this research is completely voluntary, and should you choose not to participate, you may do so without consequence or the need for justification. You may discontinue your participation at any time without explanation or penalty. However, once you submit your data, it cannot be withdrawn due to its anonymity.
FUNDING DISCLOSURE:
We gratefully acknowledge that this research is funded by the Ontario Women’s Health Scholar Award and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, which were both awarded to the doctoral student involved with this research project.
RESEARCH TEAM CONTACT INFORMATION:
If you have any further questions regarding this study, you may contact:
The research team: hhab.laboratory@gmail.com
Dwight Mazmanian, PhD, Professor, Lakehead University: dmazmani@lakeheadu.ca
RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD REVIEW AND APPROVAL:
This research study has been reviewed and approved by the Lakehead University Research Ethics Board. If you have any questions related to the ethics of the research and would like to speak to someone outside of the research team, please contact Sue Wright at the Lakehead University Research Ethics Board at 807-343-8283 or research@lakeheadu.ca.