Safe Sex Study

The purpose of this study is to obtain information regarding safe sex practices among online daters age 50 and older. Please answer the following questions to determine whether you are eligible for the study. If you are not eligible to participate, then the screening questions will automatically stop. Thank you for your interest in the study.

We are asking you to be in a research study. This text gives you information about the research.
Whether or not you take part is up to you. You can choose not to take part. You can agree to take part and later change your mind. Your decision will not be held against you.
Please ask questions about anything that is unclear to you and take your time to make your choice.

1. Why is this research study being done?
We are asking you to be in this research because safe sex practices in middle-aged and older adults who are online daters are unknown. This research is being done to find out safe sexual practices and HIV prevention factors in daters who are age 50 and older. Approximately 400 people will take part in this research nationwide.

2. What will happen in this research study?
You will be presented with an online survey regarding safe sexual practices and HIV prevention factors. You are free to skip any questions on the survey that you prefer not to answer. Please complete the study survey in a private location.

3. What are the risks and possible discomforts from being in this research study?
There are no risks to participating in this research beyond those experienced in everyday life. It is possible that some of the questions asked about your safe sex practices may be uncomfortable to answer. You will be free to skip any questions you would prefer not to answer.

No identifying information (e.g., name or IP address) will be collected from you. You may opt to be put into a drawing to win an Amazon eGift Card by clicking on a link at the end of the survey. This link will take you to a separate website where you can input your email address to be entered into the Amazon eGift Card drawing. This separate website will not be able to link your email address to your survey results.

There is a risk of loss of confidentiality if your information or your identity is obtained by someone other than the investigators, but precautions will be taken to prevent this from happening. The confidentiality of your electronic data created by you or by the researchers will be maintained to the degree permitted by the technology used. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

4. What are the possible benefits from being in this research study?

4a. What are the possible benefits to you?
You may enjoy participating in this study.

4b. What are the possible benefits to others?
The findings in this study may help researchers understand more about safe sex practices and HIV prevention factors in middle-age and older adults who participate in online dating.

5. What other options are available instead of being in this research study?
You may decide not to participate in this research.

6. How long will you take part in this research study?
If you agree to take part, it will take you about 10 to 20 minutes to complete the online survey for this research study. After the survey is complete this research study does not require any additional time on your part.

7. How will your privacy and confidentiality be protected if you decide to take part in this research study?
Efforts will be made to limit the use and sharing of your personal research information to people who have a need to review this information.
• Your research records will be labeled with a code number and will be kept in a secure server and encrypted.

In the event of any publication or presentation resulting from the research, no personally identifiable information will be shared.

We will do our best to keep your participation in this research study confidential to the extent permitted by law. However, it is possible that other people may find out about your participation in this research study. For example, the following people/groups may check and copy records about this research.
• The Office for Human Research Protections in the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
• The Institutional Review Board (a committee that reviews and approves research studies) and
• The Office for Research Protections.

Some of these records could contain information that personally identifies you. Reasonable efforts will be made to keep the personal information in your research record private. However, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

9. Will you be paid or receive credit to take part in this research study?
There is no monetary compensation for taking part in this research. You can opt to be entered to win one of three $100 Amazon eGift Cards.

11. What are your rights if you take part in this research study?
Taking part in this research study is voluntary.
 You do not have to be in this research.
 If you choose to be in this research, you have the right to stop at any time.
 If you decide not to be in this research or if you decide to stop at a later date, there will be no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are entitled.

12. If you have questions or concerns about this research study, whom should you call?
Please call the head of the research study (principal investigator), Rachel Wion at 814-386-1464 if you:
 Have questions, complaints or concerns about the research.
 Believe you may have been harmed by being in the research study.

You may also contact the Office for Research Protections at (814) 865-1775, ORProtections@psu.edu if you:
 Have questions regarding your rights as a person in a research study.
 Have concerns or general questions about the research.
 You may also call this number if you cannot reach the research team or wish to offer input or to talk to someone else about any concerns related to the research.

INFORMED CONSENT TO TAKE PART IN RESEARCH

Your participation implies your voluntary consent to participate in the research. Please download print a copy of this form for your records.