Debriefing Statement
Title of the Project: The Interplay of Locus of Control and Religiosity in Buffering Death Anxiety: A Terror Management Perspective
Principal Investigator: Cheryl A Edwards, Doctoral Candidate, School of Behavioral Science, Department of Psychology, Liberty University
Thank you for being part of a research study.
You recently participated in a research study. You were selected as a participant because you were determined to be between the ages of 18 to 80, English speaking, resident of the United States, identify as a Christian, in general good health with no significant mental health diagnosis or recent bereavements, have at least a sixth grade reading level, and regular access to the internet and computer/tablet/phone to complete the necessary surveys. Participation in this research project was voluntary.
Please take time to read this entire form and
ask any questions you may have.
What was the study about and why was it being done?
The purpose of the study was to explore the complex relationships between an individual's personal beliefs, coping styles, and emotional responses. We were particularly interested in how certain personality constructs affect how individuals feel after reflecting on various topics which may be negative in nature.
Why am I receiving a debriefing statement?
The purpose of this debriefing statement is to inform you that the true nature of the study or an aspect of the study was not previously disclosed to you.
You were originally told the purpose of the study was to explore the complex relationships between an individual’s personal beliefs, coping styles, and emotional responses, to understand how they affect how individuals feel after reflecting on various topics. You were not told that the study was specifically focused on how one’s locus of control and religiosity affect an individual after a mortality salient event (being made aware of the potentiality of one’s own death). Specifically, the level of one’s anxiety was being examined to determine what combination of locus of control and religiosity would buffer the potential death anxiety providing a buffer to the anxiety symptoms.
Why was deception necessary?
Deception was necessary because disclosing that we were looking at death anxiety or were going to introduce the thought of one’s death, would have the introduced these thoughts could affect every participant. To determine if the introduction death thoughts affected one’s level of anxiety, we needed to prevent introduction of these thoughts during the onset of the study.
How will personal information be protected?
The records of this study will be kept private. Published reports will not include any information that will make it possible to identify a subject. Research records will be stored securely, and only the researcher will have access to the records.
· Participant responses will be kept confidential by replacing names with a unique participant ID number.
· Participants email will be utilized for providing links to the second part of the study or to respond to any participant inquiries only.
· Data will be stored on a password-locked computer which is supported by a private VPN network. The researcher and faculty advisor will have access to the data. After three years, all electronic records will be deleted (hardcopies of the data will not be produced).
What should you do if you decide to withdraw from the study?
If you choose to withdraw from the study, please contact the researcherat the email address/phone number included in the next paragraph. Should you withdraw, data collected from youwill be destroyed immediately and not included in this study.
Whom do you contact if you have questions or concerns about the study?
The researcher conducting this study is Cheryl A Edwards. You may ask any questions you have now through the contact button at the top of the webpage. If you have questions later, you are encouraged to contact her at edwardsdoctoralstudy@gmail.com. You may also contact the researcher’s faculty sponsor, Dr. M. Williams at, mpaster@liberty.edu.
Whom do you contact if you have questions about your rights as a research participant?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study and would like to talk to someone other than the researcher, you are encouraged to contact the Institutional Review Board, 1971 University Blvd, Green Hall Ste. 2845, Lynchburg, VA 24515 or email at irb@liberty.edu.
Disclaimer: The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is tasked with ensuring that human subjects research will be conducted ethically as defined and required by federal regulations. The topics covered and viewpoints expressed or alluded to by student and faculty researchers are those of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Liberty University.