Consent
Title of the Project: A qualitative phenomenological study: An international study on the friendship experiences of diagnosed autistic women and their friendships with their perceived (or diagnosed) autistic and non-autistic same sex adult friends.
Principal Investigator: Jenifer Turner, Doctoral Candidate, Psychology Department, Liberty University.
Key Information about the Research Study
You are invited to participate in a research study. To participate, participants must be: assigned female at birth; over 18 years old; formally diagnosed with autism; have an adult female-at-birth friend whom you perceive (or is diagnosed) as autistic; have an adult female-at-birth friend whom you perceive as non-autistic; and fluent in English.
Things you should know: The purpose of the study is to explore the experiences of clinically diagnosed autistic women's friendships with their same sex, perceived autistic, and perceived non-autistic friends. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to participate in an online interview lasting approximately 1 hour. Cameras must remain on for the duration of the interview. If the participant's camera is turned off, the interview will be terminated and the participant will be ineligible for the $250 Amazon electronic gift card drawing.
Risks or discomforts from this research include sadness from recalling events, friendship issues, and recognizing painful interpersonal relational patterns. Possible benefits include increased understanding of how the participant interacts and feels with different neurotype friendships.
Taking part in this research project is voluntary. You do not have to participate, and you can stop at any time. Please read this entire form and ask questions before deciding whether to participate.
What is the study about, and why is it being done?
The purpose of this research study is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of diagnosed autistic women's friendships with their perceived (or diagnosed) autistic and perceived non-autistic, same sex adult friends.
What will happen if you take part in this study?
You will respond to the pre-screen to confirm that you meet the participant criteria. You will then read and confirm the Consent Form if you agree to be part of the study. You will respond to a demographic question page. You will receive an email with information to schedule an interview. You will take part in an online interview through a video meeting platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.) — about 60 minutes long and recorded. You will review the transcript of the interview afterward; an email will be sent with the transcript requiring a response that you have read it and agree with everything in it. If you would like to change anything, let the researcher know via email; otherwise confirm that you reviewed the transcript and grant permission to use it as research data. You will be entered for the $250 Amazon e-gift card drawing once the researcher receives confirmation that you are okay with the transcript as is.
How could you or others benefit from this study?
Benefits to society include increased understanding of the unique challenges autistic women face in their friendships. This study will also be used to create a book and a manual for the general public, organizations, and businesses, as well as training instructions to assist therapists in understanding the nuances and challenges of working with autistic women. Participants will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $250 Amazon electronic gift card after they send the researcher the transcript confirmation email.
What risks might you experience from being in this study?
The expected risks are minimal — equal to the risks of everyday life. Potential risks include feelings of sadness, grief, and confusion about health and/or functioning in friendships. The researcher will assess for signs of emotional distress and ask whether you would like to stop the interview, take time to breathe and relax, or continue. The researcher will share the 988 crisis hotline with all interviewees. The researcher is a mandatory reporter; during this study, if the researcher receives information about child abuse, child neglect, elder abuse, or intent to harm self or others, the researcher is required to report it to the appropriate authorities.
How will personal information be protected?
The records of this study will be kept private. Published reports will not include information that makes it possible to identify a subject. Research records will be stored securely, and only the researcher and the researcher's faculty supervisor will have access. Participant responses will be kept confidential by replacing names with pseudonyms/numbers. Interviews will be conducted where others cannot easily overhear. Data will be stored on a password-locked computer. Data may be retained indefinitely for use in future presentations and may contribute to a book for psychotherapists and the general population. Recordings will be stored on a password-locked computer; the researcher and faculty supervisor will have access. Once participants confirm the accuracy of the transcripts, recordings will be retained through the study's completion. Data will be transcribed using AI, downloaded to the researcher's computer, and deleted from the AI's meeting history. Data will be retained indefinitely, but the audio-visual recordings will be deleted.
Will you be compensated for being part of the study?
After the interview, and only after you confirm your transcript by emailing the researcher, the researcher will enter you into a drawing for a chance to win a $250 Amazon e-gift card.
Is study participation voluntary?
Participation is voluntary. Your decision whether to participate will not affect your current or future relations with Liberty University. If you decide to participate, you are free not to answer any question or to withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.
What should you do if you decide to withdraw from the study?
If you choose to withdraw, please contact the researcher at the email below. Should you withdraw, the data collected from you will be destroyed immediately and will not be included in this study. Withdrawal also removes your entry from the $250 Amazon electronic gift card drawing.
Whom do you contact if you have questions or concerns about the study?
The researcher conducting this study is Jenifer Suri, MA. You may ask any questions now. If you have questions later, contact her at jmsuri@liberty.edu. You may also contact the researcher's faculty sponsor, Dr. Sarah Jo Spiridigliozzi, at sjspiridigliozzi@liberty.edu.
Whom do you contact if you have questions about your rights as a research participant?
If you have questions or concerns and want to talk to someone other than the researcher, contact the IRB. Physical address: Institutional Review Board, 1971 University Blvd., Green Hall Ste. 2845, Lynchburg, VA, 24515; phone: 434-592-5530; email: irb@liberty.edu.
Disclaimer: The Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures that human subjects research is conducted ethically as defined and required by federal regulations. The topics covered and viewpoints expressed by student and faculty researchers are those of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Liberty University.