Research Consent Form

Promoting Physical Activity: Assessing the Impact of Online Video Messaging.  

Dr. Chris Shields                    
Associate Professor - School of Recreation Management & Kinesiology
chris.shields@acadiau.ca                                

Dr. Harish Kapoor
Associate Professor – Manning School of Business
harish.kapoor@acadiau.ca   

Dear participant,

This study is being conducted by Dr. Chris Shields, associate professor in the School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology and Dr. Harish Kapoor, associate professor in the Manning School of Business at Acadia University. The purpose of the study is to examine whether people who differ in their level of physical activity participation also differ in their perceptions of an online video message promoting physical activity.

As a participant in this study, you will be asked to watch one of four brief, online videos and complete a short, anonymous questionnaire. The online questionnaire will take no longer than 15 minutes to complete and includes questions about your physical activity level as well as your thoughts about the video and the spokesperson delivering the information in the video.  

If you do choose to participate in this study you will be eligible to enter a draw for an iTunes gift card ($10 value).  

Your privacy will be fully respected. The questionnaires you fill out will be anonymous.  We will ask you for your birth month in order to randomize you to one of the video conditions.  This information will, in no way, be connected to your responses, nor will it be retained for any analyses.  All information obtained in this study will be stored on a password-protected computer in the locked laboratory of Dr. Chris Shields. Only the primary researchers involved with this study will have access to the data. Once data collection is complete all responses will be deleted from the online survey system.

There are no known risks or side/effects associated with participation in this study.  The information obtained from this study may add to the existing research used to inform interventions aimed at promoting physical activity.  

Confidentiality will be respected.  No information that discloses your identity will be released or published.  All responses collected will be reported in group form in any report, publication or presentation resulting from this study.  The data will be securely stored on a password protected computer, of which only the researchers involved with this study will have access to. Your e-mail address is required in order to award compensation should you be randomly chosen.  This information will be collected via a separate website, eliminating the any possibility that this information can be connected to your survey responses. All e-mail addresses will be deleted following the completion of data collection.  

Participation in this study is completely voluntary and you may withdraw from the study at any time by choosing not to complete the questionnaire. In addition, you may leave any questions unanswered.  Please note that due to the fact that the questionnaire is anonymous, there will be no way to remove your responses from the dataset once you have submitted them.  If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Chris Shields at (902) 585-1319 or by e-mail at chris.shields@acadiau.ca.    

This project has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through the Research Ethics Board at Acadia University. In the event you have any questions or concerns resulting from your participation in this study, please contact Dr. Stephen Maitzen, chair of the Ethics Board at 585-1498 or stephen.maitzen@acadiau.ca  

By clicking “I agree to participate” below, you are indicating that you have read and understood the research description provided and are fully aware of what will be asked of you. You understand that participation is strictly voluntary and that you may choose to not complete the questionnaire, even once you have started completing it. By providing your consent to participate in this research project you do not forfeit your legal rights.  

Thank you for your time.  

Please enter your birth month so that you may watch one of the videos.