(This form will also be presented on the first page of the survey)
Dear Participant,
My name is Burrel Vann Jr. I am a researcher under the direction of Dr. Iris Blandon-Gitlin at California State University, Fullerton. As a part of an ongoing forensic psychology study we are conducting a survey on confession evidence. We are interested in your perceptions of police practice, interrogations and confessions. We request your participation in this online survey. We hope you can help us! There is no incentive for participation, nor consequence for declining or withdrawing. The data collected will benefit the research by understanding factors that influence confessions. Furthermore, these data will be used in future publications.
Your participation will involve answering a few questions and viewing images for about 30 minutes. However, there is minimal risk involved. During the survey, you will be asked a series of questions pertaining to your background, experiences and attitudes regarding the legal system. You will also review some images and asked to imagine various events. You may encounter images that are considered upsetting for some, as they are intended to increase emotional arousal. If at any time you feel uncomfortable about the images, a question, or cannot answer a question, you are free to exit the survey.
Results of this study will be published but no names or identifying information will be included for publication; results will be reported as averages. We do not keep electronic information that may identify you or connect you with individual data points. Data averages are kept in a password-protected computer in the faculty mentor's laboratory. Only the researcher, approved personnel, and the faculty mentor have access to them. Research records are kept confidential to the extent allowed by law. Your participation is voluntary and you are free to withdraw from participation at any time without suffering penalty or loss of benefits or services to which you may otherwise be entitled. Your participation in the survey process implies consent.
If you have additional questions please contact:
Burrel Vann Jr
Graduate Student
Departments of Sociology & Psychology
California State University, Fullerton
Phone: 714-398-5815
Email: burrelvannjr@gmail.com
Iris Blandon-Gitlin, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
California State University, Fullerton
Phone: 657-278-3496
Email: iblandon-gitlin@fullerton.edu
Note: We want to provide participants with information about psychological health services in case they are needed. Please be advised that your participation is voluntary and you are free to withdraw from participation at any time without suffering penalty or loss of benefits or services to which you may otherwise be entitled. US local and national numbers for psychological health services are provided below. If outside the US, you may contact your university or local services.
CSUF Counseling and Psychological Services
Hours: Vary
Services: General Counseling, Group Therapy, Psychiatry
(657) 278-3040
Mental Health Emergency Line
Hours: 24-Hour Hotline
Services: Mental Health, Suicide, and General Crisis Counseling
(800) 479-3339
Hotline for Southern California
Hours: 8AM - Midnight
Services: General Counseling
(714) 894-4242
This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of California State University, Fullerton (HSR-10-0415). Their contact information can be found at ogcserv.fullerton.edu/.
You have read and understood the terms used in this consent form and their significance. If you agree that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to participate in this project, you may proceed with the survey.
Please follow each direction carefully. You will be redirected to a series of links.