INFORMED CONSENT FOR INTERNET-BASED RESEARCH

Potential Research Study Participant: We are inviting you to take part in a research
project being conducted at this time. You were selected to participate as a potential
subject because you meet the required age range (minimum 18 years).

Ann Branaman (PI) and Ashley Ostroot from the Department of Sociology at Florida
Atlantic University are conducting a research study on generational differences in life
experience. The purpose of this research study is to evaluate generational differences
in understandings and experiences of reaching adulthood and achieving life meaning,
purpose, and satisfaction.
As a participant in this study, you will be asked to discuss and respond to a series of
topics and questions in regards to life story and experiences. You will complete only
this one survey unless you are willing and available to participate in additional
interviews. At a minimum, we expect that the survey will require 60-90 minutes in order
to respond to each question. However, we would welcome longer responses and/or
participation in follow-up interviews at a later time.
Although interviews are not likely to involve highly sensitive material, it is possible that
you might choose to venture into highly sensitive topics as you respond. To maintain
confidentiality, we will separate your name from your interview transcript. In write-ups of
our analyses of interview data, we will alter your name and details of your responses in
order to disguise your identity. All transcripts will be stored in password-protected files
available only to the primary investigators. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you
may decline to answer any question(s) you do not wish to answer or discontinue your
participation at any point.
This research will make an important contribution to sociological knowledge by
increasing understanding of how the human life is shaped by political, economic, social,
cultural, and historical influences. It may also serve to increase mutual understanding
across generations. The potential benefits to you as a research participant include the
opportunity to tell your life story and to reflect on the meaning of important events and
circumstances in your life.
All responses will be submitted anonymously. You have the option of providing your
contact information if you choose and/or might be willing to answer follow-up questions.
Any information collected about you will be kept confidential and secure and only the
people working with the study will see your data, unless required by law. Data will be
stored on the primary investigator's office computer and backed up on portable storage
drives kept in a locked file drawer in the primary investigators office. All files will be
password protected and names and contact information will be stored separately from
the transcribed interviews. For those willing to participate in follow-up interviews, coding
will be attached to transcripts to allow the PI to link the transcript to contact information.
In other cases, no names or contact information will be stored. The PI wishes to retain

May 2011

Approved on:
Expires on:
Institutional Review Board

7/16/2015
7/15/2016

the transcripts of the interviews permanently, as she intends to continue studying

individuals life narratives over the remainder of her academic career.
Taking part in this survey is your agreement to participate. By participating you agree
that you have read the above information describing this study, that you are 18 years of
age or older and freely consent to participate, and that you understand that you are free
to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. Please print a copy of this
consent form for your records. If you have any questions regarding the research,
contact Ann Branaman at (561) 703-9616 in the Department of Sociology at Florida
Atlantic University. If you have any questions regarding your rights as a research
subject, please contact the Florida Atlantic University Division of Research at (561) 2970777. Thank you again for your participation.

Approved on:
Expires on:
Institutional Review Board

May 2011

7/16/2015
7/15/2016