Welcome to the Trust in News Media Research Study!    

IRB Consent Form: 2022 05 14 consent stamped survey

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH STUDY

TITLE: Trust in Local News Media: How Consumers Value News and Journalism Ethics

INVESTIGATORS:
Pamela E. Walck, Ph.D., associate professor, Media Dept., McAnulty College of Liberal Arts and Graduate School, 412-396-1311, walckp@duq.edu

Zeynep Tanes Ehles, Ph.D., associate professor, Media Dept., McAnulty College of Liberal Arts and Graduate School, 412-396-6456, tanesz@duq.edu

Maggie Jones Patterson, M.F.A., professor, Media Dept., McAnulty College of Liberal Arts and Graduate School, 412-396-6447, patterso@duq.edu

SOURCE OF SUPPORT:
This study, in conjunction with the Duquesne University Institute for Ethics and Integrity in Journalism (DUIEIJ), is supported by a grant from the NEH Committee, McAnulty College of Liberal Arts and Graduate School; additional funding provided by DUIEIJ, McAnulty College of Liberal Arts and Graduate School, and the Media Department.

STUDY OVERVIEW:
While the need for accurate information has never been greater, trust in news media has steadily deteriorated in the United States. A recent national survey found that between 2016 and 2021, the lack of trust in national news declined nearly 20 percent, and faith in local news outlets decreased 7 percent (Pew Research Center, Trust in America, 2021). This study examines the media habits of Pittsburgh area audiences to better understand audience habits and attitudes toward national and local news media. It seeks answers from audiences about tangible steps news organizations could take to repair audience faith. It also looks to see if audiences make distinctions between legacy journalism (such as traditional newspapers or television stations) and other forms of media, including social media, blogs, vlogs, etc.—and how that might influence attitudes toward information sources. The researchers are taking a mixed-method approach that includes anonymous survey questions and focus-group discussions. For the online survey portion, at least 1,063 participants are anticipated.

PURPOSE:
You are being asked to participate in a research project that is investigating how your media habits influence your attitude toward local, national and international news organizations.

To qualify for participation, you must:
  • Be 18 years or older; and
  • Be a resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

PARTICIPANT PROCEDURES:
If you provide your consent to participate in this survey, you will be asked to complete the following:
  • Join online survey following this consent form;
  • Answer 35-questions in online survey, including basic demographic questions, which will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete;
  • Indicate willingness to participate in an in-person focus group session at a later established date; and
  • When you hit the “submit” button on the survey, your participation will be completed.

Participants will be limited to completing the survey only once.

RISKS AND BENEFITS:
There are minimal risks associated with participating in this study, but no greater than those encountered in everyday life.

COMPENSATION:
There will be no compensation for participating in the survey portion of this study. And there is no cost for you to participate in this research project.

CONFIDENTIALITY:
Your participation in this study will be anonymous and be kept confidential to every extent possible; all anonymous data will be kept indefinitely after the data collection is completed. Your name will never appear on any survey or research instruments. All written and electronic forms and study materials will be kept secure in a password-protected computer. In addition, any publications or presentations about this research will only use data that is combined with all subjects; therefore, no one will be able to determine how you responded. 
 
RIGHT TO WITHDRAW:
You are under no obligation to start or continue this study. You can withdraw at any time without penalty or consequence by emailing Dr. Pamela E. Walck at walckp@duq.edu.
Participants seeking to withdraw their responses will need to specify what day and approximate time they completed the online survey in order for researchers to remove the data from the survey results, which will be deleted immediately.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS:
A summary of the results of this study will be provided to at no cost.  Participants may access the results online at https://mediaethicsresearch.com/.

FUTURE USE OF DATA:
Any information collected that can identify you will not be used for future research studies, nor will it be provided to other researchers.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS
I understand that the researcher(s) running this study have put in place the following guidelines to address concerns related to COVID-19:
  • Voluntary survey respondents are asked to answer an online survey and will not be in contact with the researchers while responding to the survey questions.

VOLUNTARY CONSENT:
I have read this informed consent form and understand what is being requested of me. I also understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, for any reason without any consequences. Based on this, I certify I am willing to participate in this research project.

I understand that if I have any questions about my participation in this study, I may contact Dr. Pamela E. Walck at 412-396-1311 or walckp@duq.edu. If I have any questions regarding my rights and protections as a subject in this study, I can contact Dr. David Delmonico, Chair of the Duquesne University Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects at 412.396.1886 or at irb@duq.edu.

This project has been approved/verified by
Duquesne University’s Institutional Review Board.


By clicking the button below, you acknowledge:  
  • Your participation in the study is voluntary.
  • You are 18 years of age.
  • You are aware that you may choose to terminate your participation at any time for any reason.