Explanation of Research and Informed Consent Document
Please read the following letter in its entirety before answering the survey. It contains information regarding your rights if you decide to participate in this study. You must be at least 18 years old to participate in this investigation. Background You have been invited to participate in a research project being conducted by Beth Meadows and Nicole Johnson, Undergraduate Students at Baldwin-Wallace College, Department of Communication Arts and Sciences. The purpose of this study is to examine the way people disclose information about themselves in various communication contexts. Study Procedure and Participant Rights If you agree to participate in this study you will be asked to complete an electronic or paper survey that asks you to describe the way you disclose information in communication settings. For example, the survey will ask you to rate the degree to which you agree with statements like the following: “I do not often talk about myself.� In addition you will be asked to provide your demographic information including; age, gender, race/ethnicity, major, and year in school. The questions may take 10-15 minutes to complete. To ensure your anonymity, we will not ask for your signature to indicate agreement to participate in this study. Instead, the completion and submission of the questionnaire to the researcher will be your way of indicating consent to participate in the study. Participation in this study is strictly voluntary. Your participation has no bearing on your standing with the researchers or Baldwin-Wallace College. There is no penalty if you decide not to participate. Nor will you be penalized if you decide to stop participation at any time during the research process. You can elect not to answer any of the questions in the questionnaire that you do not want to answer. Risks and Benefits The potential risks associated with your participation in this study are minimal. However, you have a right to stop answering the surveys at any time and withdraw from the study. We cannot promise any direct benefit for taking part in this study. However, clarifying the role of selfdisclosure in different communication contexts could provide important information for communication researchers and the general public. If you have any questions about this study, you may call Dr. Andrew Dohanos at (440) 826-2047 or email him at adohanos@bw.edu . This project has been reviewed and approved by The Human Subjects Review Board at Baldwin-Wallace College. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, you may call or write to the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs. Baldwin-Wallace College 275 Eastland Rd. Berea, Ohio, (440)-826-2251
I have read the information provided above and all of my questions have been answered. I voluntarily agree to participate in this study. My completion and return of this survey will serve as my consent. I have been given a copy of this consent form for future reference.
Instructions: Please mark the following statements to reflect how you communicate with others in person. Indicate the degree to which the following statements reflect how you communicate with this person by marking whether you (7) Strongly Agree, (6) Agree, (5) Moderately Agree, (4) Are Undecided, (3) Moderately Disagree, (2) Disagree, or (1) Strongly Disagree. Record the number of your response in the space provided. Work quickly and just record your first impressions. 1. When I wish, my self-disclosures are always accurate reflections of who I really am. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2. When I express my personal feelings, I am always aware of what I am doing and saying. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3. When I reveal my feelings about myself, I consciously intend to do so. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
4. When I am self-disclosing, I am consciously aware of what I am revealing. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
4
5
6
7
6
7
5. I do not often talk about myself. 1
2
3
6. My statements of my feelings are usually brief. 1
2
3
4
5
7. I usually talk about myself for fairly long periods at a time. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8. My conversation lasts the least time when I am discussing myself. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9. I often talk about myself. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
6
7
10. I often discuss my feelings about myself. 1
2
3
4
11. Only infrequently do I express my personal beliefs and opinions. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
12. I intimately disclose who I really am, openly and fully in my conversation. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
13. Once I get started, my self-disclosures last a long time. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
14. I often disclose intimate, personal things about myself without hesitation. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
15. I feel that I sometimes do not control my self-disclosure of personal or intimate things I tell about myself. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
16. Once I get started, I intimately and fully reveal myself in my self-disclosures. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
17. I cannot reveal myself when I want to because I do not know myself thoroughly enough. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
18. I am often not confident that my expressions of my own feelings, emotions, and experiences are true reflections of myself. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
19. I always feel completely sincere when I reveal my own feelings and experiences. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
20. My self-disclosures are completely accurate reflections of who I really am. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
6
7
21. I am not always honest in my self-disclosures. 1
2
3
4
5
22. My statements about my feelings, emotions, and experiences are always accurate selfperceptions. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
6
7
23. I am always honest in my self-disclosures. 1
2
3
4
24. I do not always feel completely sincere when I reveal my own feelings, emotions, behaviors, or experiences. 1
Gender: Male
2
3
4
6
Female
What year in school are you? Freshman Sophomore Junior
Senior
Age: What is your major? Race/Ethnicity (please circle one): American Indian or Alaska Native Asian or Pacific Islander Black or African American Black, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Hispanic
5
Senior +
7