optimismresearch.net

The internet research site for Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Ph.D.,
and the Personality and Immunity Research Laboratory

The Life Orientation Test Alternate Forms Study

You are being invited to take part in a research study about how people respond to different forms of a standard personality test. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether phrasing a personality test in different ways affects the validity of the test. You are being invited because you are an adult 18 years or older. 

WHO IS DOING THE STUDY?

The person in charge of this study is Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Ph.D., of the University of Kentucky. There may be other people on the research team assisting at different times during the study.

WHAT WILL YOU BE ASKED TO DO? HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?  

You will be asked to fill out a 49-item questionnaire on the internet; this takes most people less than 15 minutes.

ARE THERE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY? WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS?

There are no known reasons why you should not take part in this study. To the best of our knowledge, completing the questionnaire poses no more risk of harm than you would experience in everyday life.

WILL YOU BENEFIT FROM TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY?

You will not get any personal benefit from taking part in this study. You will receive feedback about your score on the test.

DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE PART 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. If you decide to take part in the study you still have the right to decide at any time that you no longer want to continue. You will not be treated differently if you decide to stop taking part in the study.

WHAT WILL IT COST YOU TO PARTICIPATE? WILL YOU RECEIVE ANY REWARDS?

There are no costs or rewards associated with taking part in the study.

WHO WILL SEE THE INFORMATION THAT YOU GIVE?

Your information will be combined with information from other people taking part in the study. When we write about the study to share it with other researchers, we will write about the combined information we have gathered. We may publish the results of this study.

We will keep private all research records to the extent allowed by law.  However, there are some circumstances in which we may have to show your information to other people.  For example, the law may require us to show your information to a court.  Also, we may be required to show information which identifies you to people who need to be sure we have done the research correctly; these would be people from such organizations as the University of Kentucky.

This study is anonymous. That means that no one, not even members of the research team, will know that the information you gave came from you.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR COMPLAINTS?

If you have questions, suggestions, concerns, or complaints about the study, you can contact the investigator, Suzanne Segerstrom, via email or 859-257-2207. If you have any questions about your rights as a volunteer in this research, contact the staff in the Office of Research Integrity at the University of Kentucky at 859-257-9428 or toll free at 1-866-400-9428. This study has been approved by the University of Kentucky Office of Research Integrity.

To participate in the study, click here.

Modified July 19, 2007 .