RESEARCH PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
TITLE: An Exploratory Study of Sexual Attractions, Identities, Behaviors, and Outcomes
VCU IRB NO.: HM20025470
INVESTIGATORS: Dr. B. Ethan Coston
This form may have some words that you do not know. Please ask someone to explain any words that you do not know.
What is this study about?
You are invited to participate in a research focus group sponsored by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, under the direction of B. Ethan Coston. The purpose of this focus group is to learn more about the breadth and depth of people's sexual experiences. We will specifically focus on the pleasurable and positive aspects of sexual identity, sexual desires and attractions, sexual behaviors, and sexual outcomes. Your voluntary participation will help us develop more comprehensive and accurate sex and sexuality-related survey questions. Public health providers and policy-level decision-makers may also use this research information to discuss healthy sexuality.
What will happen to me if I choose to be in this study?
As part of this study, you will be placed in a group of 4-5 others. A moderator will ask you several questions while facilitating the discussion. As approved through Virginia Commonwealth University's Institutional Review Board (IRB) (the board that assures that research meets all institutional, professional and ethical standards), this focus group will be audio-recorded [not video recorded, even when virtual] and a note-taker will also be present. In this study you will be asked to answer questions related to your experiences and feelings about sex, sexuality and sexual health. The facilitator will ask you these questions in a small group setting with others who share a particular core identity with you. (A core identity may be people of a certain age range, people of the same gender identity, or people who speak the same language, for example.) These group conversations will last for approximately 90 minutes. You will receive either a $30 prepaid VISA Gift Card or an Amazon account credit after participating (your choice).
What are the risks of participating in this study?
The risks of participating in this study are very small. For example, sometimes talking about life experiences related to sexuality can make someone upset or uncomfortable. You do not have to talk about anything you do not want to talk about. You can leave the group at any time. And you do not have to answer our questions if you do not want to.
If you do become upset, the people running the group will help you. A facilitator will always be present.
Although not likely, it is possible that your identity could become known. To protect against this, we will not ask you your name, nor will we ask you to provide any identifying personal information (such as addresses or social security numbers). If you or anyone else reveals your name or any sensitive information about you during the group conversation, we will remove that information in any of the documentation of the conversations (your name will be redacted from transcription files).
Will you tell anyone what I say?
We will not tell anyone the specific answers you give us. However, other members of your group will know what you say. If you tell us that someone is hurting you, or that you might hurt yourself or someone else, the law requires us to let people in authority know so they can help you.
Additionally, the anonymized transcripts of all of our group conversations with a total of 100 people will be made available to researchers, community organizers, and health care providers who receive IRB approval, for use in their own research endeavors, through the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. Again, no personally identifiable information (name, location, images of your face, etc.) will be included in these files. Moreover, if we talk about this study in speeches or in writing, we will never use your name or identifying information. However, once you participate (e.g. sign the consent form, answer questions, and do not withdraw your consent), you will not be able to choose which portions of your responses are shared or not shared.
Do I have to be in this study?
You do not have to be in this study. If you choose to be in the study you may stop at any time. No one will blame you or criticize you if you drop out.
Questions?
If you have questions about being in this study, please ask Dr. B. Ethan Coston or one of the facilitators at the beginning of your scheduled group meeting.
If you have any general questions about your rights as a participant in this or any other research, you may contact:
Office of Research
Virginia Commonwealth University
800 East Leigh Street, Suite 3000 P.O. Box 980568
Richmond, VA 23298
Telephone: (804) 827-2157
You will sign an official consent form prior to participating in a group conversation. Fill out the survey above to be considered for placement in a group.