Information Letter

Thank you for your interest in the “Lifestyle Choices” study.  You have been invited to participate in this study so that we can better understand attitudes associated with certain lifestyle choices. Taking part in this study is voluntary. Before you decide whether you would like to participate in this study, please read this information carefully.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY?

The main purpose of this study is to gather participants’ attitudes toward certain lifestyles. You will be asked questions about your own lifestyle, including whether you plan to have children or be childfree (i.e., choose not to have children). You will also be asked about your opinion on lifestyle choices that might be different from your own. Anyone is welcome to complete this study – whether you plan to have children, plan to be childfree, or if you are still deciding what path might be best for you.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE COLLECTED?

Participants will be asked general questions, such as information about their demographics. You will then be asked questions about your attitudes toward other lifestyles, and whether you’ve experienced or witnessed stigma toward certain lifestyles. Questions about other psychological factors will also be included in the survey.

WHAT IS REQUESTED OF ME AS A PARTICIPANT?

This online study will be hosted on SurveyMonkey. The survey may be completed at a time and location of your choosing. It is anticipated that the session will take 30 minutes to 1 hour. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and currently residing in Canada or the United States.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT?

You are under no obligation to participate and are free to withdraw at any time without prejudice to pre-existing entitlements. You may refuse to answer any question or questions while partaking in this study.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND BENEFITS?

There are no known physical risks associated with participating in the study. However, should you need some extra support, you may contact Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566. If you are in the United States, you may text the Mental Health America Hotline at 74174, where you will be linked with appropriate services. Potential direct benefits of participating in the study include assisting in research that aims to better understand stigma toward certain lifestyle choices. As a token of our gratitude for participating in this research, participants can sign up for a draw to win one of five $20 CAD e-gift cards to a location of your choice (Walmart, Starbucks, Indigo). If you elect to enter the draw, you will be asked for your email to be informed should you win. This contact information is collected separately from your survey responses to maintain anonymity. 
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.

 
Thank you for your interest and participation. It is greatly appreciated!

T