Consent Form

DRAFT: Interview Consent July 2007

Each year, information about the college and university experiences of Americans are gathered through a combination of three different surveys, collectively known as the Scietists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT) surveys. The information obtained provides insight into the educational and scientific resources and achievements of the nation and its schools. This knowledge then helps shape educational policy and funding decisions. A number of agencies make use of the data collected, including the National Science Foundation (NSF). Currently, NSF is conducting research to improve the current version of one of those three surveys regarding higher education: the National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG).

I have been asked to help with that research, and I have volunteered to participate in this study regarding questions about educational experiences to be included on the NSRCG forms. By completing a questionnaire and offering my opinions about various features of this form, I will be assisting the research team and the National Science Foundation (NSF), and will receive $35 in appreciation for my assistance.

All the information that I provide today is entirely confidential to the National Science Foundation, and no one but NSF employees and staff of the Washington State University Social and Economic Sciences Research Center will have access to it. Those who do have access to the information have pledged that they will maintain that confidentiality and protect the privacy of survey participants.

At no time during my volunteer assistance am I obligated to offer personal information if I do not wish to do so. If I prefer not to answer a particular question asked of me when completing a questionnaire or by the interviewer, I am free not to respond at my discretion.

This project is being conducted under the authority of the National Science Foundation (NSF) by a research team from the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center at Washington State University. The OMB control number for this survey is 3145-0174. The estimated time for completion is 60 minutes. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Washington State University. If you have any questions or comments about this research project, please contact the Washington State University Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (509.335.1511) or the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at 509-335-3668.

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Participant’s Signature Researcher’s Signature

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Printed Name Printed Name

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Date Signed Date Signed

Interview Consent Form