701-A-6

University of Oklahoma

Institutional Review Board

Informed Consent to Participate in a Research Study

Version 3, Observations

Project Title: / Transnational Families in Taiwan: Exploring issues of language, culture, and identity
Principal Investigator: / Todd L. Sandel
Department: / Communication, The University of Oklahoma, USA
Co-Investigator: / Chung-Hui Liang
Department: / Center of General Education, National Chiao Tung University, HsinChu

You are being asked to volunteer for this research study. This study is being conducted at your home. You were selected as a possible participant because you have a child [grandchild] ages 7-12, and you or a family member was born and raised outside Taiwan.

Please read this form and ask any questions that you may have before agreeing to take part in this study.

Purpose of the Research Study

The purpose of this study is:

Understand both the problems and successes of transnational families in Taiwan. We want to know the challenges faced by foreign born spouses, and if they are accepted by family members and other Taiwanese society as full-fledged members of Taiwanese society. We also want to know the challenges faced by children who grow up in these families and if they are accepted by their extended family, peers, neighbors, and teachers, and how well they are learning and growing.

Number of Participants

About 20 people will take part in this study.

Procedures

If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to do the following:

The researcher will come to your home and set up a video camera at a time and place convenient to you. The researcher may chat with you. However, we do not want you to do anything that is out of the ordinary. In particular, we want to observe how you interact with other family members, most notably your child (or grandchild). We will note which language or languages you use, and how your child (grandchild) responds. We also want to observe how your child (grandchild) gets along with others in the family, and his/her friends and classmates. What happens during this time will be video-taped. Later what is seen and heard on the video tape will be transcribed and used to write papers and report on what we learn.

Length of Participation

Observations will take from 2 to 3 hours. We then hope to return and do the same thing about a month later, and do this over a period of 3 to 6 months.

This study has the following risks:

Our presence may make you feel uncomfortable or seem strange. Your child (grandchild) may also feel uncomfortable. Please let us know if you or your child feel uncomfortable and wishes us to end the study or stop recording, and we will do so. Also, we are obliged to disclose evidence of possible child abuse to appropriate authorities.

Benefits of being in the study are

The study may help you think about solutions or ways to improve your communication with family members and members of your local community.

Injury

In case of injury or illness resulting from this study, emergency medical treatment is available. However, you or your insurance company may be expected to pay the usual charge from this treatment. The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus has set no funds to compensate you in the event of injury.

Confidentiality

In published reports, there will be no information included that will make it possible to identify you without your permission. Research records will be stored securely and only approved researchers will have access to the records.

There are organizations that may inspect and/or copy your research records for quality assurance and data analysis. These organizations include the Fulbright Foundation and the OU Institutional Review Board.

Costs

There is no cost to the participant.

Compensation

You will not be reimbursed for you time and participation in this study.

Rights

Refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. You can discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

Voluntary Nature of the Study

Participation in this study is voluntary. If you decline to participate, you will not be penalized or lose benefits or services unrelated to the study. If you decide to participate, you may choose to withdraw at any time. Any and all recordings will then be destroyed.

Video Recording of Study Activities

To more accurately record the interaction in your home, we plan to use a video recording device. You have the right to refuse to allow such recording. Please select one of the following options:

I consent to video recording. ___ Yes ___ No.

Contacts and Questions

If you have concerns or complaints about the research, the researchers conducting this study can be contacted at

Todd Sandel: Telephone: (04)-2422-2472—Taiwan or 1-405-325-1809—USA (Todd Sandel).

Address: The University of Oklahoma, 610 Elm Avenue, Norman, OK 73019, USA.

Email:

Chung-Hui Liang: Telephone: (03)-571-2121 ext 52757.

Address: National Chiao Tung University, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, HsinChu 300, Taiwan.

Email:

Contact the researcher(s) if you have questions or if you have experienced a researchrelated injury.

If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, concerns, or complaints about the research and wish to talk to someone other than individuals on the research team or if you cannot reach the research team, you may contact the University of Oklahoma – Norman Campus Institutional Review Board (OU-NC IRB) at 405-325-8110 or .

You will be given a copy of this information to keep for your records. If you are not given a copy of this consent form, please request one.

Statement of Consent

I have read the above information. I have asked questions and have received satisfactory answers. I consent to participate in the study.

Signature / Date

Revised 3/5/2007 Page 2 of 4