Boston College Consent Form Informed Consent to be in study: The Experiences of Caregivers and Their Employers
Researchers: Angela Ianniello, PhD Student and Dr. Bess Rouse, Professor
Study Sponsor: Carroll School of Management, Boston College
Type of Consent: Adult Consent Form

Invitation to be Part of a Research Study
You are invited to participate in a research study. You were selected to be in the study because you are at least 18 years old and are a caregiver or you employ a caregiver (or intend to). Taking part in this research project is voluntary. Things you should know:

• The purpose of the study is to understand how caregivers and those who employ caregivers experience their work relationships. 
• If you choose to participate, you will be asked to participate in an interview or focus group. The interview/focus group will take approximately 60 minutes. Risks or discomforts from this research are no more than what you would experience in everyday work life.
• The study may benefit you by allowing you an opportunity to reflect on your work, and/or career.
• Taking part in this research project is voluntary. You don’t have to participate, and you can stop at any time.

Please take time to read this entire form and ask questions before deciding whether to take part in this research project.

What is the study about and why are we doing it?
The purpose of this study is to explore how work relationships are created, negotiated, and managed when paid work occurs in the home. This means that we hope to understand everything from what, if any, challenges people in face to what is most enjoyable about your work. We expect to include around 100 people in the study.

How could you benefit from this study?
You might benefit from being in this study because it may give you a chance to reflect on your work and/or career.

What will happen if you take part in this study?
If you agree to take part in this study, you will be asked to participate in an interview or focus group about your work. I expect the interview to take about 60 minutes. Questions will focus on work experiences and relationships. Questions will be open-ended, with no right or wrong answers. The researcher will take notes and audio record your responses, with your permission. Only the researcher will have access to these notes. Audio recordings will only be accessed by the researcher and interview transcribers.

What risks might result from being in this study?
The questions and your responses present no more risk of harm than you would be expected to experience in everyday life. Loss of confidentiality is a possible risk. There may be risks unknown at this time.

How will we protect your information?
The records of this study will be kept private, and I will make every effort to keep your research records confidential. Research records and data will be kept in a secured and/or passwordprotected electronic or physical location. In any sort of report I may publish or present (e.g., in a research meeting, a publication), I will not include information that will make it possible to identify you. Your full name will always be kept private. Reports based on interviews will report fake names only. I will assign to each participant a unique fake name (pseudonym) that will be used in place of their actual name. I will separately maintain a password-locked record that links each participant pseudonym to their actual name, and I will keep identifying information in a secure and private location. Except as indicated below, audio recordings will only be accessed by the researcher and interview transcribers. Recordings, notes, and transcripts will be destroyed no more than 10 years after the completion of the study. The Institutional Review Board at Boston College and internal Boston College auditors may review the research records. State or federal laws or court orders may also require that information from your research study records be released. Otherwise, the researchers will not release to others any information that identifies you unless you give your permission, or unless we are legally required to do so.

What will happen to the information we collect about you after the study is over?
I will not keep your research data to use for any other purpose beyond research. Your name and other information that can directly identify you will be kept secure and stored separately from the research data collected as part of the project. I may share your research data with other researchers without asking for your consent again, but it will not contain information that could directly identify you.

How will we compensate you for being part of the study?
There is no compensation for study participation.

What are the costs to you to be part of the study?
There is no cost to you to be in this research study. Your participation in this study is voluntary It is totally up to you to decide to be in this research study. Even if you decide to be part of the study now, you may change your mind and stop at any time. You do not have to answer any questions you do not want to answer. If you decide to withdraw before this study is completed, your responses will be destroyed. If you choose not to be in this study, it will not affect your current or future relations with the Boston College.

Contact Information for the Study Team and Questions about the Research
If you have questions about this research, you may contact either of the following researchers:
Angela Ianniello: angela.ianniello@bc.edu or 617-552-0450
Dr. Bess Rouse: rousee@bc.edu

Contact Information for Questions about Your Rights as a Research Participant
If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, or wish to obtain information, ask questions, or discuss any concerns about this study with someone other than the researcher(s), please contact the following: Boston College Office for Research Protections
Phone: (617) 552-4778
Email: irb@bc.edu

Your Consent
Before agreeing to be part of the research, please be sure that you understand what the study is about. If you have any questions about the study later, you can contact the study team using the information provided above.

Please review the information about the study carefully before indicating your consent below. You have three options for how you would like to proceed:

Decline participation: You may choose not to participate in the study at this time. 

Verbal consent: If you wish to participate but prefer not to provide your name, you may choose to give verbal consent instead. The researcher will review the consent information and document your verbal agreement prior to the interview. 

Written consent: If you consent to participate and are comfortable providing your name, you may select the written consent option and sign below.
 

Once you submit this consent form, you will be redirected to our booking page for the interview. If none of the times work for you, please do not hesitate to contact Angela Ianniello at ianniean@bc.edu with your availability, and we can create a custom time for you.