Example Informed Consent for an Anonymous Online Survey
Study Title: Online Shopping Attitudes
Purpose of the Study: You are invited to participate in a research study examining the attitudes and
beliefs that people hold about different online shopping companies. You must be at least 18 years of
age and have made an online purchase within the past 6 months to participate.
Procedures: If you choose to participate, you will answer some questions about your most recent
online shopping experiences. You will also rate and compare different online shopping companies that
you may or may not have purchased from in the past. The study is expected to take approximately 15
minutes.
Potential Risks and Benefits: It is unlikely that you will experience any risks or discomforts beyond
what would be experienced in everyday life by participating. There are no specific benefits associated
with participating.
Compensation: If you are currently enrolled in an introductory psychology course at Wittenberg
University, you may be eligible to receive research participation credit that satisfies course
requirements by participating in this study. Participants who wish to receive research participation
credit will complete a separate research credit form after this study that is not connected to any
information collected in this study. Alternative methods of earning research participation credit are
available from introductory psychology course instructors.
Confidentiality: The data collected in this study are completely anonymous. No personally identifiable
information will be collected and the information you choose to provide in this study cannot be
connected back to you. Results from this study may be published or presented at research
conferences, and the anonymous data and may be shared with other researchers through an online
data repository.
Voluntary Participation: Your participation in this study is voluntary and you may choose to not
participate or end your participation at any time without penalty.
Questions or Concerns: If you have any questions or comments about this study, you may contact the
researcher: Dr. William Davis, Associate Professor of Psychology, 979-327-7477,
For questions regarding your rights as a participant in this research or IRB approval, contact Dr. William
Davis, Associate Professor of Psychology, IRB Chair, at 937-327-7477, or by email at
davisw4@wittenberg.edu.
Consent: I have read and understand the above consent form. I certify that I am 18 years old or older.
By clicking the “Next” button to enter the survey, I indicate my willingness to voluntarily take part in
this study.
