Survey of Food Beliefs

You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Laura Akers, from the University of Oregon Department of Psychology. In this study, I hope to learn more about certain kinds of beliefs, and the research will contribute to my first-year project as a doctoral student. You have volunteered as a possible participant in this study.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will complete a survey of about 160 questions, which will probably take 20-35 minutes. The survey may seem somewhat long, but the questions may be interesting to you. The purpose of the survey is primarily to identify the most useful questions for future research studies about the personal importance of people's beliefs and the implications of holding those beliefs. Eventually, this research may lead to findings of scientific and societal importance. However, I cannot guarantee that you personally will receive any benefits from this research.

None of the information that you provide in this study will be associated with you in the future, as all participants are known to the researcher only by number. You will remain anonymous to us. Your data will be transmitted via anonymous e-mail to us when you press the "submit" button at the completion of the survey. Please note that although there will be no personally identifiable information collected in the survey, the transmission of data via e-mail is not secure, so the confidentiality of your data cannot be guaranteed.

Your participation is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your relationship with any organization from which you have heard about this survey. If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation at any time without penalty.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Laura Akers of the University of Oregon Department of Psychology. My e-mail address is lakers1@uoregon.edu, and my campus phone number is 541-346-5770. My faculty advisor is Dr. Gerard Saucier, 541-346-4927. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject, contact the Office for Protection of Human Subjects, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, (541) 346-2510. This Office oversees the review of the research to protect your rights and is not involved with this study.

Your decision to continue with this survey indicates that you have read and understand the information provided above, that you willingly agree to participate, that you may withdraw your consent at any time and discontinue participation without penalty, that you have received the opportunity to print a copy of this form, and that you are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies.