Assent Form
CONSENT/ASSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN
NON-MEDICAL RESEARCH PROTOCOL
MAKING JUDGMENTS IN A MURDER TRIAL
IRB#07-14440
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: LEE BUDESHEIM, PH.D.
SUB-INVESTIGATORS: Laura Austin and Stephanie Stava
Department of Psychology
Creighton University
(402) 280-3000
Study Purpose and Procedures
We are asking for your participation in a study being conducted by The Department of Psychology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE. Taking part in this study is completely voluntary. This study is designed to assess how jurors integrate a wide variety of information to form their judgments and render a verdict in a criminal trial. To examine this issue, we have taken excerpts from an actual criminal trial that occurred in California over 15 years ago. This trial involves accusations of a brutal murder and sexual abuse of a 9 year old child.
You will be asked to read over the excerpts and answer a series of questions. This study should take approximately 45 - 60 minutes, depending on your reading speed. After you have made your final judgments, you will be informed about the actual verdict in this case, thus allowing you to see how your judgment in the case matched that of the original jury. Your responses will be kept completely confidential.
Risks of Participating in the Study
There may be some risk involved with participating in this study. You may feel emotions that may be distressing because of the discussion of the alleged physical and sexual violence that occurred. We have made every effort to minimize the amount of graphic details presented in the case, without depriving you of necessary information. The details do contain explicit details of an alleged rape and murder of a 9 year old girl. They are comparable to what you might hear in a primetime drama on television or in an "R-rated" movie. If you are feeling uncomfortable at any point during your reading of the materials, please feel free to discontinue your participation and contact the Principal Investigator. The Principal Investigator will discuss counseling options should you require these services. You have the right to ask questions concerning the research before agreeing to participate or during the participation.
Benefits of Participating in the Study
There are no benefits to the individual from participation in this project. The possible benefit to society may be to better understand the process by which complex legal decisions are made.
Compensation
You will receive course credit in your introductory psychology class for your participation in this research project. The amount of credit will be for one hour of research participation (see your course syllabus for more specific details about the amount of credit you can earn).
Alternatives
You may choose not to participate or you may withdraw from this study at any point without penalty to you. The psychology department offers alternatives to research participation for obtaining course credit. Please contact your instructor for more information about the available alternatives.
Confidentiality
We believe that your confidentiality and safety is of utmost concern. Any information obtained during this study that could identify you will be kept strictly confidential. The information obtained in this study may be published in scientific journals or presented at scientific meetings. However, your identity will be kept strictly confidential and we will not reveal your individual responses, except as may be required by law. If applicable, research-related records may be furnished to the Creighton University Institutional Review Board to ensure subjects' rights are being maintained. Confidentiality generally will be maintained by housing all data in a secured area and by not keeping information that will enable the researcher to identify data from specific participants after they have completed the research.
Contact Information
Please feel free to contact the Primary Investigator, Lee Budesheim, Ph.D. at 280-3000 with any questions or concerns regarding participation or participants' rights.
If you agree to participate in this study, please click on the following link. You will immediately be taken to the survey, so only click on the link if you are prepared to complete the survey (approximately 50 minutes) at this time.
If you are not satisfied with the manner in which this study is being conducted, you may report (anonymously if you so choose) any complaints to the Institutional Review Board by calling (402) 280-2126, or addressing a letter to the Institutional Review Board, Office of Grants Administration, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178.