Consent form

Attachment B.2 – Informed Consent Form

Early Career Doctorates Survey

Participant Informed Consent

Cognitive Interview

What is the purpose of the interview? You are invited to participate voluntarily in this interview, which is being conducted by RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit research firm, for the National Science Foundation (NSF). This interview and interviews with others like you will evaluate survey questions for the Early Career Doctorates Survey (ECD Survey), a national survey of individuals who earned their first doctorate or doctorate-equivalent degree within the past 10 years, including postdocs, faculty and nonfaculty staff. Collection of this information is authorized by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC sec 3(3) and (6)).

What will happen during the interview? The interview will take approximately 90 minutes. The interviewer will ask you to read and answer survey questions on a paper form. After each survey question, the interviewer will ask you things such as what you thought the survey question was asking and how you came up with your answer. In some cases, the interviewer may ask you to think aloud as you are interpreting the survey question, thinking about your answer, and choosing a response. You may skip any question if you choose not to answer it.

In addition to the interviewer, other RTI project staff may observe the interview and take notes. The interview will also involve audio taping your comments for later analysis. The audio of your interview may be shared with the NSF. In appreciation for your participation in the interview, you will receive $50.

Do I have to participate? Your participation in this interview is voluntary. Once you start the interview, you may stop at any time and still receive $50 in appreciation for your time. Also, you may choose not to answer any question.

Will this be kept private? This information is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, and the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002. The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only. Your responses will be kept confidential. Your response is voluntary and failure to provide some or all of the requested information will not in any way adversely affect you.

Whom do I call if I have questions? If you have any questions about the study you may telephone the RTI project director, Peter Einaudi, at 1-919-541-8765. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant in this study, you may contact the Office of Research Protection at RTI International at 1-866-214-2043, a toll-free number.

______________________________________________________________________________

By signing below, you are indicating that you are choosing to participate and that you have received a copy of this consent form. If there is any part of this form that is not clear to you, be sure to ask.

Signature of participant______________________________________________ Date ___/___/___

Check to indicate whether or not you agree to be audiotaped: ____Yes ____ No

I certify that the nature and purpose of this research have been explained to the above individual.

Signature of Person Who Obtained Consent_______________________________ Date ___/___/___

Early Career Doctorates Survey

Participant Informed Consent

Cognitive Interview

What is the purpose of the interview? You are invited to participate voluntarily in this interview, which is being conducted by RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit research firm, for the National Science Foundation (NSF). This interview and interviews with others like you will evaluate survey questions for the Early Career Doctorates Survey (ECD Survey), a national survey of individuals who earned their first doctorate or doctorate-equivalent degree within the past 10 years, including postdocs, faculty and nonfaculty staff. Collection of this information is authorized by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861 sec 3(3) and (6)).

What will happen during the interview? The interview will take approximately 90 minutes. The interviewer will ask you to read and answer survey questions on a paper form. After each survey question, the interviewer will ask you things such as what you thought the survey question was asking and how you came up with your answer. In some cases, the interviewer may ask you to think aloud as you are interpreting the survey question, thinking about your answer, and choosing a response. You may skip any question if you choose not to answer it.

In addition to the interviewer, other RTI project staff and NSF representatives may observe the interview and take notes. The interview will also involve audio taping your comments for later analysis. The audio of your interview may be shared with the NSF. In appreciation for your participation in the interview, you will receive $50.

Do I have to participate? Your participation in this interview is voluntary. Once you start the interview, you may stop at any time and still receive $50 in appreciation for your time. Also, you may choose not to answer any question.

Will this be kept private? This information is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, and the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002. The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only. Your responses will be kept confidential. Your response is voluntary and failure to provide some or all of the requested information will not in any way adversely affect you.

Whom do I call if I have questions? If you have any questions about the study you may telephone the RTI project director, Peter Einaudi, at 1-919-541-8765. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant in this study, you may contact the Office of Research Protection at RTI International at 1-866-214-2043, a toll-free number.

______________________________________________________________________________

By signing below, you are indicating that you are choosing to participate and that you have received a copy of this consent form. If there is any part of this form that is not clear to you, be sure to ask.

Signature of participant______________________________________________ Date ___/___/___

Check to indicate whether or not you agree to be audiotaped: ____Yes ____ No

Check to indicate whether or not you agree to have NSF representatives observe: ____Yes ____ No

I certify that the nature and purpose of this research have been explained to the above individual.

Signature of Person Who Obtained Consent_______________________________ Date ___/___/___

To be used when NSF representatives are present