informed consent letter (PDF)

(NOTE: DO NOT SIGN THIS DOCUMENT UNLESS AN IRB APPROVAL STAMP WITH
CURRENT DATES HAS BEEN APPLIED TO THIS DOCUMENT.)
INFORMED CONSENT
For a Research Study entitled
“Use and perception of library resources by Auburn University School of Forestry
and Wildlife Services user groups”
You are invited to participate in a research study exploring the use of library
resources and services by the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn
University. The information will help information specialists add to best practices related
to library liaison work. This study is being conducted by Patricia Hartman, Librarian II at
Auburn University Libraries, and Dr. Mark Smith, Associate Professor in the Auburn
University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. You were selected as a possible
participant because you are a faculty, staff, graduate student, or undergraduate student in
the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Resources.
What will be involved if you participate? Your participation is completely voluntary. If
you decide to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete an online survey.
Your total time commitment will be approximately 10 minutes. We ask that you please
complete the survey within 14 days.
Are there any risks of discomforts? There are no anticipated risks or discomforts
associated with participating in this study.
Are there any benefits to yourself or others? If you participate in the study, you are
unlikely to receive any direct benefits. However, you may benefit indirectly through
increasing the knowledge of information specialists in how library resources and services
are being used by SFWS and how resources or training might be developed to improve
access to information. The survey will also help Auburn University
librarians/investigators share with colleagues at other universities (in articles or
presentations) strategies related to liaison work and reference services.
Are there any costs? If you decide to participate, your only cost will be the time needed to
complete the survey.
Will you receive compensation for participating? If you complete this survey you will be
eligible to enter a drawing for one of two gift certificates worth $50 to Amazon.com. For
notification purposes, please provide your email address if you wish to be entered into the
drawing. Your email address will remain confidential and will not be associated with your
survey responses.
If you change your mind about participating, you can withdraw at any time by closing
your browser window or tab. Once you have submitted anonymous data, it cannot be
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withdrawn since it will be unidentifiable. Your decision whether or not to participate or to
stop participating will not jeopardize your future relations with Auburn University
Libraries or the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.
Your privacy will be protected. Any information obtained in connection with this study
will remain confidential. The information you provide will be unidentifiable and will be
password protected. Information collected through your participation may be published in
a professional journal, and/or presented at a professional meeting.

If you have questions about this study, please contact Patricia Hartman at
patricia.hartman@auburn.edu or 334-844-1740.
If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact
the Auburn University Office of Human Subjects Research or the Institutional Review
Board by phone (334)-844-5966 or e-mail at hsubjec@auburn.edu or IRBChair@auburn.edu.

HAVING READ THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, YOU MUST DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT
YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS RESEARCH STUDY. YOU MAY PRINT A COPY OF
THIS LETTER TO KEEP.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Investigator
Date
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Co-investigator
Date

The Auburn University Institutional Review Board has approved this document for use from
__________ to _________. Protocol #________

LINK TO SURVEY

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