Assessing Customer Satisfaction with Riparian Training

D epartment of Geosciences

Oregon State University

104 Wilkinson Hall  Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5506

Tel: (541) 737-1201  Fax: (541) 737-1200  www.geo.oregonstate.edu

Informed Consent Document

Project Title: Evaluating the National Riparian Service Team’s Creeks and Communities Strategy

Principal Investigator: Hannah Gosnell, Geosciences Dept, Oregon State University

Graduate Research Assistant: Robyn Paulekas, Geosciences Dept, Oregon State University

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY?

The purpose of this study is to assess the satisfaction of past participants involved in site-specific riparian assistance offered by the interagency National Riparian Service Team (NRST) as part of their “Creeks and Communities Strategy.”In addition, this study seeks to understand how NRST assistance has influenced participants, organizations, groups, communities, and riparian resources in your area.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS FORM?

This consent form gives you the information you will need to help you decide whether to participate in the study. Please read the form carefully. You may ask any questions (contact information below) about the research, the possible risks and benefits, your rights as a volunteer, and anything else that is not clear. When all of your questions have been answered, you can decide if you want to be in this study or not.

WHY AM I BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY?

You are being invited to take part in this study because you participated in an NRST effort to deliver site-specific riparian assistance at some point between 2003 and 2010. We believe your experience, knowledge and opinions will help identify opportunities to improve the NRST’s Creeks and Communities Strategy.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THIS STUDY AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

If you choose to participate in this study, you will be asked a series of questions regarding your experience with NRST site-specific riparian assistance in relation to the delivery, quality, value and usefulness of the products, information and services provided. Your interview may be conducted in person or by telephone, at your residence or another location that you choose. Interviews will be audio recorded for transcription purposes using a small hand held digital recorder. All identifiers will be removed from the audio files of your interview during the transcription process. If you so choose, we will provide you with an audio file of your interview. You may decide to not have your interview recorded without affecting your involvement in the study. If you prefer to not have your interview recorded, the interviewer will simply take notes. Please indicate your preference at the bottom of this form and remind us at the time of the interview. If you agree to take part in this study, your involvement will last for approximately one hour.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THIS STUDY?

Aside from the potential for a breach in confidentiality, there are no expected risks or discomforts associated with the procedures described in this study.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS STUDY?

You will not receive a direct benefit from participating in this study. However, we hope that the information gathered from this study will help improve NRST program offerings.

WILL I BE PAID FOR PARTICIPATING?

You will not be paid for being in this research study.

WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS STUDY?

The study is being paid for by the National Riparian Service Team.

WHO WILL SEE THE INFORMATION I GIVE?

The information you provide during this research study will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. To help protect your confidentiality, OSU will:

• Ensure that the interviews are conducted in a secure location, i.e., wherever you feel most protected and comfortable. If conducting the interviews at your residence is not an option we will discuss with you where the most secure and convenient interview location would be.

• Remove all names and identifying features from all interview data and write up material.

• Substitute numbers for names of interviewees.

• Keep code lists and data files in separate secure locations in the Geosciences Department at OSU. We will keep one copy of the code list on a password protected computer in Dr. Gosnell’s office and another hard copy in a locked file cabinet in the Geosciences office of the Geosciences Department.

• Use and protect all computer passwords and lock combinations/keys.

• Destroy all audio record files within 18 months of your interview date.

Upon completion of the study, the NRST will receive a summary report of study findings. This information will be presented in an aggregate form and your identity will not be made public. The NRST may also request copies of portions of the written interview transcripts minus any identifiers. If any information relating to this study is published, your identity will not be made public.

DO I HAVE A CHOICE TO BE IN THE STUDY?

If you decide to take part in the study, it should be because you really want to volunteer. You will not lose any benefits or rights you would normally have if you choose not to volunteer. You can stop at any time during the study and still keep the benefits and rights you had before volunteering. You will not be treated differently if you decide to stop taking part in the study. You are free to skip any interview questions you would prefer not to answer. If you choose to withdraw from this project before it ends, the researchers may keep information collected about you and this information may be included in study reports.

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about this research project, please contact the Principal Investigator, Hannah Gosnell, at 541-737-1222 or by email at [email protected].

If you have questions about your rights as a participant, please contact the Oregon State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) Human Protections Administrator, at 541-737-4933 or by email at [email protected].

Your signature indicates that this research study has been explained to you, that your questions have been answered, and that you agree to take part in this study. You will receive a copy of this form.

I agree to be audio recorded. ________ Yes _________ No

Initials Initials

Participant's Name (printed):

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________ _______________________________

(Signature of Participant) (Date)

Oregon State University • IRB Study #:4348 Approval Date: 07/17/09 Expiration Date: 07/16/10