Consent to Participate in Research
TITLE: The Effects of a Dog’s Presence on the Well-Being of Individuals at Work
You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Dr. Beth Daly (Anthrozoology), Dr. Jill Singleton Jackson (Psychology), and Ms. Marissa Rakus (student, Psychology) from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science at the University of Windsor. If you have questions or concerns about the research, please feel to contact Dr. Beth Daly: bethdaly@uwindsor.ca
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to explore whether or not aspects of an individual's work (employment) are impacted by the presence of a dog. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are/were in the unique position of working from home, regardless of whether or not they ever worked from home prior to the pandemic; and with respect to dogs, although some people do take their dogs to work, most do not. We are surveying employed people who live(d) with a dog, and due to the COVID pandemic, work(ed) from home, where the dog resides. This preliminary investigation is to determine whether there is evidence that one's work well-being is affected when working in the presence, or near, a dog.
Procedure
As a volunteer in this study, you are asked to complete a series of on-line questionnaires. The questions ask about you, your work, your dog, your relationship with your dog, your full- or part-time work, and your dog’s presence in/near your workspace.
The anonymous survey should take 10 to 20 minutes to complete. You do have the option to Save/Continue later. Once you submit the survey, participation in the study is complete. There is no follow-up from the researchers.
Potential Risks and Discomforts
No risks to participants are anticipated.
Potential Benefits to Participants and Society
While there is unlikely to be any direct benefit for participants, the completed research may help us to understand more about the possible effects of having dogs in the workplace. Given many of the assumptions about the positive effects of having dogs at work in popular media, there is a strong need for scientific research to explore whether or not there is any validity to such claims. Societal benefits could potentially be substantial in that any reported impact from the presence of dogs in the working environment may help employers and managers make meaningful decisions regarding allowing dogs in the workplace.
Compensation For Participation
Your participation is strictly voluntary. There will be no compensation for your participation.
Confidentiality
Your participation is anonymous . The data collected from this study will be stored only on secure, password-protected computers, accessible only by the named researchers. If the study is published, the data will be kept for five years after the publication, as per APA guidelines. If the study is not published, and the data are not used for subsequent studies, the data will be destroyed by the primary investigators.
Participation and Withdrawal Rights
You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time before you submit the survey. You may do so by not completing the survey and closing your browser. If you do this none of your responses will be saved. However, once you submit the survey, your participation cannot be withdrawn as there is no identifying information associated with your participation in this study, or with your submitted responses. Should you wish to withdraw from the study, please indicate this in any area on the survey which allows comments (ie., "Please withdraw me from this study," etc.).
Feedback of the Results of this study to the Participants
The data collected will be written up and submitted to a professional, peer-review journal with the intention of publication. However, the data may also be used in subsequent studies, in other publications, and in presentations.
Rights of Research Participants
If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, contact: Research Ethics Coordinator, University of Windsor •Windsor, Ontario • N9B 3P4 • Telephone: 519-253-3000, ext. 3948 • e-mail: ethics@uwindsor.ca
Acknowledgement of Investigators
The researchers, Dr. Beth Daly, Dr. Jill Singleton-Jackson, & Ms. Marissa Rakus, agree that these are the terms under which we will conduct research.
Acknowledgement of Research Participant
I understand the information provided for the study The Effects of a Dog’s Presence on the Well-Being of Individuals at Work, as described. My questions have been answered to my satisfaction, and I agree to participate in this study. I have read this form, and am able to print it and keep it, should I so desire.
In lieu of my signature, my consent is given by my choice to continue with the survey.