Informed Consent

Introduction

The title of this research study is Gender Incongruence: Emerging Adult Perceptions of Self-Identity, Gender, and Religious Identity. 

I am Wendy Miller, a doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Patricia Dolasinski in the College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University. 

The purpose of this study is to explore how emerging adults describe how being gender incongruent has affected their sense of gender identity and their sense of religious identity, using a sample selected from those active on social media.

Key Information

This document defines the terms and conditions for consenting to participate in this research study.

How do I know if I can be in this study?

You can participate in this study if:

• You are experiencing gender incongruence.
• You are between the ages of 18-25 years old.
• You speak English and reside in the United States.
• You have personal views you would like to share about self-identity, gender, and religious identity.

You cannot participate in this study if you:

Research Activities:  What am I being asked to do?

If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to:

• What?
• Willing to answer demographic questions related to your race or ethnic background, birth gender, and your declared gender (5 min).
• Complete the following survey (approx. 15 min). 
• OPTIONAL: Participate in a scheduled one-on-one Google Meet interview with the researcher. (approx. 45-60 min).
• OPTIONAL: Willing to check the researcher’s interpretation of your interview responses through email (approx. 10 min).

• When?
• When you agree to this informed consent, you will be permitted to start the survey right away.

• Where?
• You will complete the survey and/or interview where you choose, in a location free from outside distractions.

• How?
• Online survey using a secure research platform called Voiceform; interview through via Zoom video conferencing system.

• Audio Recording:
• I will use the audio recording feature of the online conferencing platform Zoom to record your responses. You cannot participate in the interview if you do not wish to be recorded.  I will protect your identity by assigning you a code instead of using any identifiable information.
• Zoom privacy policy: https://explore.zoom.us/en/privacy/
• Voiceform privacy policy: https://www.voiceform.com/privacy-policy

• Video Recording
• I will not use the video recording feature in Zoom to record your actions. The video features will be turned off for interview participants to protect your identity.

Who will have access to my data/information?

I will have access to all of your data and information. In addition, my dissertation chair, committee members, and all College of Doctoral Studies Reviewers may view your information and your answers as part of the dissertation review process.

Am I required to participate in this study?

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. After reading this informed consent, you can decide whether to participate in this study or not. Also, if you choose to participate and then change your mind, you can leave the study at any time, even if you have not finished, without any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you decide to stop participation, you may do so by exiting out of the survey or interview. If so, I will not use the information that I collected from you before you chose to stop.

Any possible risks or discomforts?

You may feel some mild discomfort sharing your experiences regarding your understanding of self-identity, gender identity, or religious identity. However, you may exit out of the survey or interview at any time if you need. Please contact your local urgent care or mental health professional if need be.

Any direct benefits for me?

No.

Any paid compensation or incentives for my time?

Participants will not get paid for their participation in the survey. However, those who choose to participate in the 60-minute Zoom interview and follow-up email will receive a $50 Amazon gift card as a ‘Thank you’ for your additional time. The gift card will be sent to your email immediately after completion of the check-up email with the researcher.

Presentation of Information Collected

The research data will be presented by ProQuest in a published dissertation.

Privacy and Data Security

Will other researchers ever be able to link my data/responses back to me?

No.

Will my initial data include information that can identify me (names, addresses, or other identifying material, such as audio, specific demographics, etc.)

Your initial data will include your name, email address, and an audio file if you choose to participate in the interview. This information will be kept confidential by the researcher, Wendy Miller.

Will researchers assign my data/responses a research ID code to use instead of my name?

• ID codes will not be needed for the survey. 
• ID codes will be assigned to interview participants to protect their identity.

If yes, how will researchers create a list to link names with their research ID codes?

Interview participants will be assigned an ID code to protect their identity, such as P1, P2, P3, etc., on a spreadsheet.

If yes, how will researchers secure the link of names and research ID codes? How long will the link be kept? Who has access? What is the approximate destruction date?

Your personal identity will be kept confidential and only be used by the researcher, Wendy Miller. Data will be secured for 3 years after the completion of the study on a password protected jump drive and then destroyed by burning the jump drive. The approximate destruction date will be October 31, 2027.

How and where will my data be protected (electronic and hardcopy)?

Your data will be kept in electronic form on a jump drive.

How long will the data be kept in the protected space?

The data will be kept for 3 years.

Who will have access to the protected data?

I will have access to all of your data and information. In addition, my dissertation chair, committee members, and all College of Doctoral Studies Reviewers may view your information and your answers as part of the dissertation review process.

What is the privacy policy for survey platforms (Survey Monkey, Qualtrics, mTurks, Google, etc), any recording software (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.), interview software, survey software, or transcription software companies?

Zoom privacy policy: https://explore.zoom.us/en/privacy/

Voiceform privacy policy: https://www.voiceform.com/privacy-policy

Where and how will the signed informed consent forms be secured?

The Informed Consent forms will be kept on a password protected computer.

For California Residents ONLY

For the state of California, participants have additional rights through the State: The right to know about the personal information a business collects about them and how it is used and shared; The right to delete personal information collected from them (with some exceptions); The right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information; and The right to non-discrimination for exercising their CCPA rights. For more information, click on the link below: California Consumer Privacy Act: https://www.oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa

Future Research

Once identifiers are removed from the data collected for this study, the de-identified information could be used for future research studies or distributed to other investigators for future research studies without additional informed consent from you or your legally authorized representative.

Study Contacts

Any questions you have concerning the research study or your participation in the study, before or after your informed consent, will be answered by Wendy Miller wmiller19@my.gcu.edu or wm12024k@gmail.com.

If you have questions about your rights as a subject/participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you can contact the Chair of the Human Subjects Institutional Review Board through the College of Doctoral Studies at IRB@gcu.edu; (602) 639-7804.

Voluntary Consent

Participant Rights

• You have been given an opportunity to read and discuss the informed consent and ask questions about this study;
• You have been given enough time to consider whether or not you want to participate;
• You have read and understand the terms and conditions and agree to take part in this research study;
• You understand your participation is voluntary and that you may stop participation at any time without penalty.