This study looks at how adopted individuals think about their adoption. I am interested in how individuals identify themselves as an adopted person and how they think their adoption does and does not explain who they are as a person.

Thank you for your interest in being involved in this research. Before I have you take the survey, I need to be sure that you are:
1) At least 19 years old,
2) Were adopted by an individual/s other than a step-parent

If these two things describe you, than please follow the link to the online survey. The survey will ask you about your thoughts about your adoption as well as some individual and family characteristics. You will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire in order to collect demographic information. The entire process will take about 25 minutes.

I want you to know that all of your responses will be kept strictly confidential. and I never use any names or identifying information when I talk about my research. The only people who will view you actual responses will be the two researchers.  The only way that we will use your results will be for data in a research presentation at an academic conference and possibility a publication in an academic journal.

If you are doing this study as an option for research credit in a course, you must have made prior agreement your instructor on what kinds of studies qualify for course credit.  In order to give you credit for your contribution, I ask you to give your name as well as your instructor’s name at the end of the survey. Your instructor will be informed that you participated in a study in the Communication Studies department, but not which study you participated in. You will not be penalized in any way in your class for not participating in this study, and your course instructor will provide an alternative option if you do not wish to participate in this study but would still like to receive research credit.

Also at the end of the study, you have the option to provide an email address if you would like to be contacted for future studies. This email will not be part of the data set that will be analyzed and will not be connected with your completed questionnaire in any way. If you do provide your email address, I will keep your information on a password-protected computer. I will never share these emails with others for any reason.

I want you to know that you are free to take a break or refuse to answer any questions at any time throughout the survey.  You are also free to decide not to participate in this study or to withdraw at any time without negatively affecting your relationship with the researchers or the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Your decision will not result in any loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

You may ask any questions concerning this research and have those questions answered before agreeing to participate in or during the study. Or you may call the investigator at any time, office phone, (402) 472-3348, or the secondary investigator at (402) 472-8326. Please contact the investigator: if you want to voice concerns or complaints about the research; in the event of a research related injury.

Please contact the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institutional Review Board at (402) 472-6965 for the following reasons: you wish to talk to someone other than the research staff to obtain answers to questions about your rights as a research participant; to voice concerns or complaints about the research; to provide input concerning the research process; in the event the study staff could not be reached.

There are no known risks to participating in this study. However, talking about your adopted status may make you feel uncomfortable. Aside from research credit that your instructor may be offering, there are no direct benefits to participating in this study except potentially gaining a greater understanding of your experience as an adopted individual and helping to extend knowledge about adoption to society.

Knowing this, you are voluntarily making a decision whether or not to participate in this study. Your agreement certifies that you have decided to participate, having read and understood the information presented. Your signature also indicates that you are in fact at least 19 years old and that you were adopted by an individual other than a step-parent.  You should print a copy of this page for your records.
 

Should you have any questions regarding your participation in this study, please feel free to contact any or all of the following people:

Colleen Colaner                                            Dr. Jordan Soliz
Phone: (402) 472-3348                                Phone: 402-472-8326
Email: cwcolaner@huskers.unl.edu        Email: jsoliz2@unl.edu