This study asks participants to complete a short online survey related to sexual assault. Participation in this study should take no more than 25 minutes. Participants will be screened first on experiences with sexual assault, in order to participate in the main study. Participants who take the screening survey and do not qualify will receive 5 credits. Those who qualify to move to the main study will receive 10 credits for completing this study. Participation in the screening takes about 3 minutes and no more than 20 minutes to complete the main study.
Investigators: Shahzor Hashim and Dr. Esther Malm, Dept. of Psychology, Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071.
You are being asked to participate in a project conducted through Murray State University. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Below is an explanation of the purpose of the project, the procedures to be used, and the potential benefits and possible risks of participation.
Nature and Purpose of the Project: The purpose of this study is to gain information on help-seeking behaviors and coping mechanism among people who have experienced sexual assault, and how they identify themselves.
Explanation of Procedures: Your participation in this study will require you to complete a survey that first identifies whether you qualify for the study. Those who qualify will have the opportunity to respond to the main survey that measures sexual assault instances, help-seeking behavior, coping mechanism and symptoms (if any) about trauma. Your total participation should take no longer than 25 minutes.
Discomforts and Risks: Some of the questions require information of traumatic instances, and can cause discomfort. You can visit the psychological center at Murray State University if you require help. Regardless, please know that you can quit participating at any time without penalty.
Benefits: There are no direct individual benefits to you beyond the opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to participate in a research study and to learn about some of the methods involved in psychological research. A general benefit is that you will add to our knowledge of the research subject.
Confidentiality: Your responses and participation in all tasks will be completely anonymous; they will only be numerically coded and cannot be identified with you. Dr. Malm will keep all information related to this study secure for at least three years after completion of this study, after which all such documents will be destroyed.
Required Statement on Internet Research: All survey responses that the researcher receives will be treated confidentially and stored on a secure server or hard drive. However, given that the surveys can be completed from any computer (e.g., personal, work, school), we are unable to guarantee the security of the computer on which you choose to enter your responses. As a participant in this study, the researcher wants you to be aware that certain “keylogging” software programs exist that can be used to track or capture data that you enter and/or websites that you visit.
Refusal/Withdrawal: Your participation in this study should be voluntary. Your refusal to participate will involve no penalty. In addition, you have the right to withdraw at any time during the study without penalty or prejudice from the researchers.
By clicking on the Next button below, you are indicating you are at least 18 years old, and you voluntarily consent to participate in this research.
