Research Consent Form

Blogging and the Creation of Online Feminist Networks

Weblog Comments Consent Form

GW IRB Reference number: 110601

Principal Investigator: Cynthia Deitch, Associate Professor of Women’s Studies, Sociology, and Public Policy
& Associate Director of the Women’s Studies Program
Principal Contact: Elizabeth M. Curtis, M.A. Candidate in the Women’s Studies Program /Tel.: (202)994-6224

1) INTRODUCTION

We invite you to take part in a research study under the direction of Associate Professor Cindy Deitch and M.A.
Candidate Elizabeth M. Curtis of the Women’s Studies Program of the George Washington University.
First, we want you to know that:
• Taking part in research is entirely voluntary.
• You may choose not to take part in this study or you may withdraw from the study at any time.
• You may receive no benefit from taking part. The research may give us knowledge that may help
people in the future.
Now we will describe this research study. Before you decide to take part, please take as much time as you
need to ask any questions and to discuss this study with family or friends. Before you signify your acceptance of
the conditions outlined in this form by commenting on A Blog Without a Bicycle, be sure that you understand what
the study is about.

2) WHY IS THIS STUDY BEING DONE?

You are being asked to take part in this study because you expressed interest in blogging and feminism by
posting comments on A Blog Without a Bicycle.
The purpose of this study is to learn more about the formation of feminist networks online through blogging.
The research will be conducted online via comments provided by readers of A Blog Without a Bicycle and email
and instant messenger conversations.
The number of individuals who will participate in this study will be determined by the number of individuals
who volunteer to participate in the study. We anticipate that between 10-25 individuals will participate. Please
note that you must be at least eighteen years old to participate in this study.

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3) WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE STUDY?

If you choose to take part in this study, this is what will happen:

The study will take place in two parts. In the first part, you will comment on A Blog Without A Bicycle. In the
second part, you will participate in an interview with a researcher via email or instant messenger. The two parts
of the study are described in detail below.
Part 1: Comment(s) – You are being asked to consent to this part of the study at this time.
• You will begin with your participation in this study when you commented on A Blog Without a
Bicycle. When you comment on the blog, the identity you post your comment under (ie, your
legal name, title of your blog, online identity, etc) will be the name your comments will be
attributed to in any research reports.
• If you provide information that will allow the researchers to contact you in your comments, a
researcher may follow up with you to see if you were interested in participating in a short, 10-
question interview about blogging and feminist communities online. If you decide to participate,
you can expect to spend approximately one-hour participating in this interview, but you can elect
to spend more or less time participating in the project. (Note: After reviewing the consent form
that will presented at that time, you may choose to decline to participate in this interview.)
Part 2: Interview – You will be asked to sign an additional consent form if you decide to continue your
participation into the second stage of this study.

4) WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THE STUDY?

No foreseeable risks are anticipated for participants in this study.

5) ARE THERE BENEFITS TO TAKING PART IN THE STUDY?

You may receive no benefit from taking part. The research may give us knowledge that may help people in
the future.

6) WHAT ARE MY OTHER OPTIONS?

You do not have to be in this study if you do not want to. To opt out of participating in this study, merely
refrain from commenting on A Blog Without a Bicycle. Posting on A Blog Without a Bicycle signifies your
agreement to participate in the study; if you do not want to participate in the study, do not post comments on a
Blog Without a Bicycle.

7) WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

You may stop taking part in this study at any time.

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8) WILL I RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR BEING IN THIS STUDY?

You will not be paid for taking part in this study.

9) WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR PART IN THIS STUDY?

Taking part in this study will not lead to added costs to you.

10) OTHER INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW

Confidentiality. When commenting on A Blog Without a Bicycle, you will have the option to post under your
online identity or to post anonymously. Please note that if you post under your online identity, you are
indicating your willingness to participate in the first part of this study, as described in this consent form. If you
would like to remain anonymous and post your comments under this label, there will be no way for the
researchers of this study to trace your identity or to contact you and a pseudonym will be assigned to you in any
reports of the study. If you would like to post anonymously but also participate in the second part of this study,
an interview, please email ecurtis@gwu.edu; your confidentiality will be respected at all times.
Taking you off the study: The investigators can decide to withdraw you from the study at any time. The
investigators reserve the right to decide what data (in the form of comments or information obtained from
interviews) will be included in the study or in publications of the information gained in the study. Your
comments and/or interview may or may not be fully or partially included in publications based on this study.
Any comments or information you provide that is included will be attributed to you in the way that you specify.
Problems or Questions. The Office of Human Research of George Washington University, at telephone
number (202) 994-2715, can provide further information about your rights as a research subject. Further
information regarding this study may be obtained by contacting Elizabeth M. Curtis, the M.A. student
conducting this research as a part of her thesis, at telephone number (202)994-6224 or by email at
ecurtis@gwu.edu.
Consent Document. Please keep a copy of this document in case you want to read it again.

If you agree to participate in this study, you will indicate your consent by
commenting on A Blog Without a Bicycle. By commenting on A Blog Without a
Bicycle, you are agreeing to the terms outlined below in the “Documentation of
Consent.”

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11) DOCUMENTATION OF CONSENT

I understand the information included in this form. I have asked the questions that I have about this study, its risks and
potential benefits, and my other choices with Elizabeth M. Curtis, the primary contact. My questions so far have been
answered. My comment(s) on A Blog Without a Bicycle indicate(s) my willingness to participate in this study, my
understanding that I can withdraw at any time, and my assertion that I am at least eighteen years old.

A P P R O V E D
The George Washington University
Institutional Review Board

·FWA00005945·

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