Chronic Illness Survey Letter

Following is a letter about the survey from the lead researcher:

 

I am Paul Wang, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (located in Evanston, Illinois, USA).

My co-author and I are conducting a research study to collect information about the experiences of individuals with chronic multisymptom illnesses.

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to answer questions about your illness experiences and factors related to your illness, as well as to supply some demographic information.

You also will be asked to supply some information about health conditions experienced by any children you have had.

The main survey questions are estimated to take about seven minutes to complete. In addition, if you have any children, you can anticipate spending about three minutes per child answering additional questions about them.

Taking part in this research study may help researchers to better understand the role of various predisposing factors in these illnesses and conceivably might facilitate the development of more effective prevention and treatment of these illnesses. This may or may not end up having any direct benefits to you.

This is an anonymous survey. You will not be asked to supply information identifying you.

Participation in this study will involve no cost to you.  You will not be paid for participating in this study.

The survey is open only to Individuals who are age 18 or older. They may participate in this survey regardless of where they live.

This survey is being hosted by Survey Gizmo and does not involve a secure connection. Terms of Service, addressing confidentiality, may be viewed at:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/terms/

The results of the research study may be published, but no data that might identify you will be used.

Your participation in this research study is completely voluntary.  You can skip questions in the survey and you can withdraw at any time by just exiting the survey.

If you have any questions about this study you may contact the researchers. Dr. Paul Wang is the person in charge of this research study and can be reached at p-wang@northwestern.edu. You also can contact Dr. Lisa Petrison at lisapetrison@gmail.com.

Questions about your rights as a research subject may be directed to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Office of Northwestern University at 1-312-503-9338.

If you wish to participate, proceed to the next page to begin the survey.

Sincerely,

Paul Wang, Ph.D.
Medill School of Journalism
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL 60208
p-wang@northwestern.edu
847-863-6889