Public Perception of the Influence of Capital Expansion and Corporations upon American Middle Class and Individual Political Efficacy in Post-Modern America
You are invited to participate in a research study with the above title. Please read this form and ask any questions you may have before acting on this invitation to be in the study. This study is being conducted by Tony E. Hansen, a doctoral candidate at Walden University.
Background Information:
The purpose of this study is to get a better understanding of how corporations influence participation in political events. For a democratic society to work, the institutions in government have to be free to exercise for the public interest and people must feel empowered to participate in those institutions. Various political entities' influences upon political institutions can have a profound effect upon one’s perception of capability to create social change, and thus, this will examine the perceived impact of corporations upon public policy and individual perceptions of personal political efficacy. Perceptions about power elites and corporations have defined our democracy, but these perceptions may impact individual perceptions of capacity towards democratic institutions.
Procedures:
If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to answer survey questions presented by the researcher (approximately 20-30 minutes). The survey will be conducted online and consent form be approved by you (as well as fit in the study sample) in order for the survey to be conducted. The survey will last for about 20-30 minutes.
Voluntary Nature of the Study:
Your participation in this study is strictly voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with any institution, agency or anyone. If you initially decide to participate, you are still free to withdraw at any time later without affecting those relationships.
Risks and Benefits of Being in the Study:
If you agree to participate, your answers will help to understand the impact that modern corporations have upon individual perceptions of effective public policy and social change.
The survey attempts to exhibit neutrality in survey questions and answers. In the attempts to make the data anonymous and non-identifying of you as a person or your associations, some information may be sensitive to your answers. You could stop your participation at any time without any consequences where you deem fit to do so.
Further, no personal identification information will be required to ensure your anonymity. Your privacy will be respected and you will only be contacted if you wish to be contacted by the researcher or the University.
You may refuse to answer any questions you consider invasive or stressful, and you may terminate your participation at any time.
Compensation:
There will be no compensation provided for your participation in this study.
Confidentiality:
The records of this study will be kept private. In any report of this study that might be published, the researcher will not include any information that will make it possible to identify you. Research records will be kept in secured files, and only the researcher will have access to the records.
Contacts and Questions:
The researcher conducting this study is Tony Hansen. The researcher’s faculty advisor is Dr Richard Worch. If you have any question, now or afterwards, you may contact Tony Hansen at 319.621.6807 or email tony.hansen@waldenu.edu. If you have questions about your rights as participants, you may contact Dr. Leilani Endicott at 800.925.3368 ext 1210.
You may print and keep a copy of this consent form
Statement of Consent:
By clicking to enter the survey, I indicate that I have read the above information, and I consent to be a respondent in the study. Further, completion of the survey indicates that I consent to my answers being used in the research.