Survey Consent Form

Thank you very much for considering to participate in a study that is being conducted by a group of students from COMM332, Marketing Research, under the supervision of Dr. Monica LaBarge, Queen’s School of Business (QSB). The purpose of this study is to encourage students to apply the concepts that they are learning about by conducting a marketing research project. Your participation will involve completing a short survey that will last approximately 7 minutes. You will be asked a number of questions related to QTV and its viewership. In order to thank you for your participation, you will be placed in a draw for the chance to win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card.

Your participation is voluntary and your responses are completely confidential, and they will be destroyed at the end of the Fall 2009 school term. There are minimal risks associated with participation. Participants who have completed similar studies in the past did not report any adverse effects. This study is not designed to benefit you directly. It is designed to help students gain experience with research methods and the research process and is intended primarily for educational purposes. While the project is directed towards addressing a marketing research problem being experienced by QTV, the students have worked independently to develop the questions you will be asked to answer, and QTV  will see only a summary report of the findings.

You are not obligated to answer any questions that you do not wish to answer. You are free to withdraw your consent and to discontinue your participation at any time without penalty by notifying one the students, who will destroy all of the data that you have provided. Withdrawal will not have any adverse impacts on you in any way. However, because your responses are anonymous, once you have completed the study you will not be able to withdraw your data, as there will be no way to identify which data is yours versus another participant’s. In no way will your information be identified with you at any point in the research process, including in the final summary analysis and report. Your data will be treated with the strictest confidentiality, including being separated from any identifying information that may be collected at the same time, and stored on password-protected computers and survey accounts.

Your participation will benefit this group of students by giving them the opportunity to apply the concepts that they are learning about and, in turn, to develop a better understanding of them. Again, thank you very much for your consideration, time, and effort. This study was granted clearance by the QSB Research Ethics Board for compliance with the TCPS: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans, and Queen's policies. Any questions about study participation may be directed to the Dr. Monica LaBarge at 613-533-2937 or mlabarge@business.queensu.ca. Any ethical concerns about the study may be directed to Jane Webster, the Chair of the QSB Research Ethics Board at 613-533-3163 or jwebster@business.queensu.ca

By typing my name in below, I verify that I have read and fully understood the Letter of Information, and that I may request a copy for my records if I so choose. I understand that this study is part of a class project for COMM 332 (Marketing Research). I understand that the nature of my involvement will involve completing a short survey that will last approximately 7 minutes. I have been assured that my participation in this study is voluntary, and that I may withdraw at any time without penalty. I am also fully aware that the responses I give will be treated confidentially. I have had any questions or concerns related to this study answered to my satisfaction. I understand that in the event I have any further questions, I may contact Dr. LaBarge using the contact information noted above. I am giving my consent to participate in this research study.