WIDENER UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)
(Committee for the Protection of Human Participants)
RESEARCH REVIEW APPLICATION
PART A
Instructions: Please complete and submit nine (9) copies of your application (Part A) and attachments. This
submission must be in the Office of the Provost no later than two weeks prior to the next IRB committee meeting.
You may visit the Widener University IRB website (www.widener.edu/irb) or contact Joann Anderson at
610-499-4106 or joann.m.anderson@widener.edu for the schedule of meeting dates and an application. All pages
of the application must be numbered.
If you are requested to re-submit your documents: (1) re-print your newest version, modifying the font of the
newly added text (e.g., bold, underline) so that the committee can go quickly to the parts of the application that need
reviewing; (2) respond with bullets or outline the points for each recommendation made by the committee; (3) make
the appropriate number of copies as instructed by the chair of the IRB plus one file copy. Resubmit to Joann
Anderson.
Please allow one-week following the meeting date for the committee to respond to a submission/resubmission.
1. Title of Study: A survey of graduate student attitudes on sexuality across disciplines
2. Investigator’s Name: Robert Anthony Ford
3. Address: 105 Deptford Road; Glassboro, NJ; 08028
4. Phone: (work) 610-499-xxxx
(fax) 610-499-xxxx
(e-mail) raf0303@mail.widener.edu
5. Program: Masters of Adult Education and Human Sexuality
6. If a student, name of faculty research supervisor: Dr. Patricia Lawler
Phone: 610-499-xxxx
When you have completed this form, please submit it along with 9 copies of your
application to Joann M. Anderson, Office of the Provost, Old Main, 1st Floor, Room
6.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE – FOR COMMITTEE USE ONLY
IRB Study #: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Approved as submitted
_________________________________________________________
Approved pending changes, to be reviewed by IRB chair only
___________________________
Conditionally approved, changes to be reviewed by full IRB
____________________________
Not approved and resubmit
_______________________________________________________
Suspension/Termination of previously approved
study_________________________________
7. Is this research being funded? _no ____ Source of funding:
________n/a________________
8. Will this research require the cooperation of other departments within Widener
University or of other institutions? __yes___ If yes, briefly explain in your summary.
9. Beginning date _10/20/03___ and Ending date _11/26/03____ of involvement of human
subjects.
10. Human Participants? __yes___
Estimated Number: _480____
Where will participants be recruited from? _Widener University Graduate student
population_
11. Will participants receive remuneration? __no______
12. Does research involve special populations, e.g., children, prisoners, pregnant women,
mentally/ physically disadvantaged, etc.? __no______ If yes, detail in summary.
13. What kind of risks if any, will participants be exposed to?
to minimize the risks? Detail in summary.
What efforts will be made
14. Will participants be exposed to deception? _no_____ If yes, how will they be
debriefed? Detail in summary.
15. Is this an anonymous survey (i.e.; responses can not be linked to the identity of the
participants)? __yes______
16. Provide a Conflict of Interest and/or Disclosure Statement if appropriate.
17. Brief Summary – To complete this form, please attach no more than 2-6 typewritten
pages (double spaced) summary of your study. This does not include the Informed
Consent, reference list or attachments. Number all pages. Include the following:
PURPOSE –Describe the background for the study with a brief literature review. In
one paragraph, state the rationale of your research study. Define your variables and
state your hypotheses and/or research question(s).
PARTICIPANTS – Who is going to participate in the research (include the age of
participants)? Discuss how and by whom participants will be selected, recruited,
contacted, and assigned to groups. Describe demographic characteristics of the
participants. List inclusionary and exclusionary criteria.
MATERIALS – Describe the apparatus, stimuli, questionnaires, or any type of
measures to be used. Include copies of questionnaires, interview guidelines, and
measures to be used as an attachment.
PROCEDURE – Describe each step of the procedure, including the instructions
participants will be given and any experimental manipulations that will be
administered. Note whether their ability to comprehend written material will
compromise the study. Include brief description of data analysis procedures.
ETHICAL ISSUES - Describe the possible risks and benefits to which participants will
be exposed and what will be done to minimize such risks. Discuss how participant’s
rights to privacy and confidentiality will be protected. Describe your informed consent
procedure. Discuss any other ethical issues this research poses. Discuss how and
where data will be stored.
POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY – Discuss the potential benefits to
participants and society, science, and/or knowledge development.
18. Attachments. A consent form should be included in most cases (see directions below
for constructing a Consent Form). Two situations in which a consent form would be
unnecessary would include the following: if the study is archival or if the study is an
anonymous survey.
19. Other Inclusions: Letters verifying cooperation and/or access to data (e.g., from other
institutions or individuals), recruitment materials.
20. Investigator’s Assurances:
I certify that the information contained herein is complete and accurate. I agree to
conform to the procedures as described and to conduct the research with the highest
respect and regard for the participants’ right to be protected from undue risk or
invasion of privacy. If changes to the procedure become necessary, I agree to seek
prior approval from the IRB.
In the case that a student is the principal investigator, include - If changes to the
procedure become necessary, I agree to seek prior approval from the IRB as well as
to inform my research supervisor and the Director of my program. If a consent
form is used, I agree to allow my research supervisor to store such forms once they
are completed, in case a need to review them arises. Finally, I agree to keep my
research supervisor informed of my progress and of any complications that may
arise.
I agree to have all copies of consent forms and data stored at Widener University.
Signature: __________________________________________ Date:
_____10/09/03____________
21. Assurances of Faculty Research Supervisor:
I certify that the information contained herein accurately represents the student’s
complete and final research study and that it has been reviewed and approved by all
responsible for the supervision of the work. I agree to periodically review the
student’s progress and make sure that the procedures are being carried out as
approved.
Signature: __________________________________________ Date:
___10/09/03______________
CHECKLIST FOR THE IRB REVIEW OF THE APPLICATION
Note: This checklist serves as a face sheet for review of the IRB application. Complete and attach
with the application submission.
The submission of the application to the IRB is intended to provide assurances that all necessary efforts
are being made to protect the rights of human participants. This document is an abbreviated version of
the research study. It must include the following component parts in the application as completely as
possible:
PURPOSE
1._X__ A statement of the purpose of the study.
2._X__ A brief statement of background and significance.
PARTICIPANTS
3._X__ A statement describing the participants (include age).
4._X__ A description of the specific methods to be used for participant recruitment and where
5._X___A statement whether minors (under age 18) will be involved as participants. If so, an addendum
must be
attached related to the details of “research involving minors”.
6._N/A_A statement that indicates investigator will obtain assent to participate from minor
MATERIALS
7._X__ A description of the measurement procedures to be used.
PROCEDURES
8._X__ A description of the data collection methodology.
9._X__ A statement of the risks and potential benefits to the participants and/or society.
10._N/A_A statement identifying liability and how managed.
11._X__A statement describing methods to assure confidentiality.
12._X__A statement whether compensation will be provided to participants for participation.
13._N/A_A discussion of alternative therapies, if applicable.
14._N/A_If drugs are used in research an addendum for “research involving drug administration” must be
included.
OTHER
15._X__References (from the research study).
16._N/A_A consent form with addenda as necessary.
17._N/A_Appendices related to support for the project (approval for use of Institute equipment, approval
by
appropriate person at site for collaboration with letter of support).
18. _N/A_Conflict of Interest and/or Disclosure Statement if appropriate.
Brief Summary
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of graduate students’ attitudes
concerning various issues in sexuality. Preliminary research suggests that although data
about sexuality attitudes exists for the adult population, it is not specific to the population of
graduate students (LeGall, Mullet, & Shafighi, 2002). In his review of the literature on
studies concerning graduate students, Malaney (1987) identified themes in the research such
as gender differences and sexual harassment, but attitudes concerning sexuality was not
identified as a topic of research. A few studies do address the graduate student directly but
often are specific to certain disciplines and are over 15 years old (Kuzynski, 1980; Taylor,
1982).
This study would offer a glimpse into the attitudes of graduate students pursuing degrees
across disciplines of study at Widener University. This information, besides adding the
greater body of knowledge, may be of value when planning programs, curricula and social
activities for the graduate student community. This information may also help Widener
University, as a whole, address issues of diversity and inclusiveness.
The data collected through this study will help shed light on the following research
questions: 1) Is there a correlation between time spent in a graduate program of study and a person’s
attitudes toward sexuality? 2) Is there a correlation between the chosen field of study and a
person’s attitudes toward sexuality?
The variables to be compared are 1) the discipline in which the student is enrolled and 2) how
much of the degree the student has completed.
PARTICIPANTS
The study population will be a convenience sample of the Widener University graduate students
enrolled and attending classes during the fall semester of 2003. Participation will be voluntary. The
average age of a Widener University graduate student is 33 (C. Windsor, personal communication,
September 22, 2003). Classes will be chosen from each of the schools and professors will be asked
to allow time for this research. Participation will depend on the professor’s willingness to support
the research and the students’ voluntary willingness to complete a brief questionnaire. No subjects 18
years of age or younger will participate in this study.
DEPARTMENT COOPERATION
Deans of the schools and program directors will be contacted for permissions and
support of this research project. Through them, professors will be identified who
will be supportive of this research.
MATERIALS
An adapted version of the Attitudes Towards Sexuality Scale (ATSS) (Fisher & Hall,
1988) will be administered. This scale was initially designed to compare the attitudes
between children and parents. Reliability, as measured by Cronbach alpha coefficients for
the adult population (ages 31-66) was .84. Test-retest reliability using an independent adult
sample (ages 18-28) was r (20) =.90. Fisher and Hall (1988) compared the results from the
ATSS to similar instruments. The results between tests were similar, supporting validity of
the ATSS. As this instrument is designed to be used with youth as young as 12 years of age,
it is believed that most graduate students should have no difficulty in understanding the
instrument.
PROCEDURE
Once the classes have been identified, a packet for each class will be prepared. Each
class will be coded and that code will be placed on the envelope. The professor will
introduce the investigator who will introduce himself, what the study is about and explain
briefly why he is performing this research; “ I am a graduate student in Adult Education and
Human Sexuality. This research helps me complete the requirements for graduation and
will perhaps shed light on the attitudes of adult learners such as yourselves so instructors can
better prepare for their classes. This is completely voluntary and will take approximately
five minutes. The questionnaire asks you to respond about your attitudes concerning
sexuality and is completely anonymous. Only four demographic questions are asked and no
information can be traced back to you. If you do not wish to participate, simply turn in the
questionnaire with everyone else when the volunteer collects them. Do you have any
questions?”
The investigator will explain this is voluntary and if someone does not wish to
participate, the student can turn in a blank questionnaire as the others are collected. After all
questions from the participants have been answered, the investigator will ask one of the
students in the class to collect and seal the completed questionnaires in the envelope provided
and deliver them to the waiting investigator outside the classroom. To further aid in
preserving the anonymity of the subjects, the survey will be stapled between two blank sheets
of paper thus shielding any response from other subjects. A tear off sheet with the
investigator’s contact information will be attached to each questionnaire should any
participant want to be debriefed, have further questions, or want to receive a copy of the
completed study. No experimental manipulations will be administered.
DATA ANALYSIS
Data analysis and scoring will be consistent with the original ATSS. A score will be
obtained for each participant. The collected data will be analyzed by analysis of variance,
ANOVA, and Pearson product-moment corrections. Further tests may be run as necessary.
ETHICAL ISSUES
A slight risk to participants may be that the topics in question may cause discomfort for
some potential participants. As discussed earlier, this is a voluntary study. Although, when
administered to a class, peer pressure to complete the questionnaire may cause some to
participate who normally would not. Also, as the questionnaire is being administered during
class time, some students may feel compelled to participate feeling this is a class assignment.
Recognizing this, no extra attention will be drawn to those not wishing to participate by
suggesting they pass the questionnaire up early or leave the room. The cover pages
described above will shield answered and blank surveys making it difficult for someone to
identify those whom chose not to participate. To further allay discomfort, the investigator
has made this an anonymous survey and is willing to discuss with each participant the issues
surrounding the study at a time suitable to their schedule so as not to draw attention in class
or take up any more class time than necessary.
Some possible benefits may be that the participants will feel good about themselves for
helping out another graduate student and may like the idea of being part of a study.
Participation may spark further research and inquiry into topics on the questionnaire, thereby
increasing knowledge and understanding.
The participant’s right to privacy and anonymity is assured through the design of the
instrument and the collection procedure outlined above. As this is an anonymous
questionnaire, no informed consent is required.
Data, comprising the completed questionnaires, will be stored in the instructor’s desk in
his office in Bruce Hall on the Widener University Campus. The questionnaires may be
taken to his residence for processing. At this time no copies of the completed questionnaires
need to be made and the data will be reviewed by the instructor and his advisor.
POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
A brief and preliminary review of the literature shows there is little data focusing specifically on
the attitudes of graduate students in relation to their opinions on sexuality in general compared to
their discipline of study. An assumption that many students and faculty make is that the helping
professions are more liberal in their attitudes. Widener University is addressing diversity throughout
campus. This study will add to the greater body of literature that presently exists, may correct or
support assumptions that exist, and may offer the administration of Widener University a “snapshot”
of the climate of the campus for sexual minorities.
References
Fisher, T. D. and Hall, R. G. (1988). A scale for the comparison of the sexual attitudes of
adolescents and their parents. The Journal of Sex Research, 24, 90-100.
Kuzynski, H. J. (1980). Nursing and medical students’ sexual attitudes and knowledge:
Curricular implications. JOGN Nursing, November/December, 9(6), 339-42.
Le Gall, A., Mullet, E., and Shafighi, S. R. (2002). Age, religious beliefs and sexual attitudes.
The Journal of Sex Research, 39(3), 207-216.
Malaney, G. D. (1987). A decade of research of graduate students: A review of the literature in
academic journals. (ASHE Annual Meeting Paper) Boston, MA. (ERIC Document
Reproduction Service No.ED292383.
Taylor, M. E. (1982). A discriminant analysis approach to exploring changes in human
sexuality attitudes among university students. Journal of American College Health, 31(3),
124-28.
Attitudes Toward Sexuality Scale*
Thank you for taking the time to complete the Attitudes Toward Sexuality Scale. There are nineteen
questions on this scale. Fifteen questions ask about your attitudes concerning issues of sexuality. Four
questions ask about you and the degree you are seeking. Your sexual behavior will not be questioned.
No information can be traced back to you. Your anonymity is assured. This survey will take about five
minutes to complete. Thank you again for your time.
For each of the following statements, please circle the response that best reflects your reaction to that
statement.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly
Disagree
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Somewhat
Disagree
Neutral
Somewhat
Agree
Strongly
Agree
Nudist camps should be made completely illegal.
1
2
3
4
5
Abortion should be made available whenever a woman feels it would be the best decision.
1
2
3
4
5
Information and advice about contraception (birth control) should be given to any individual who
intends to have intercourse.
1
2
3
4
5
Parents should be informed if their children under the age of eighteen have visited a clinic to
obtain a contraceptive device.
1
2
3
4
5
Our government should try harder to prevent the distribution of pornography.
1
2
3
4
5
Prostitution should be legalized.
1
2
3
4
5
Petting (a stimulating caress of any or all parts of the body) is immoral behavior unless the couple
is married.
1
2
3
4
5
Premarital sexual intercourse for young people is unacceptable to me.
1
2
3
4
5
Sexual intercourse, without love or commitment, for unmarried young people is acceptable if
both partners agree.
1
2
3
4
5
Homosexual and bisexual sexual behavior is an acceptable variation in sexual preference.
1
2
3
4
5
A person who catches a sexually transmitted disease is probably getting exactly what he/she
deserves.
1
2
3
4
5
A person’s sexual behavior is his/her own business and nobody should make value judgements
about it.
1
2
3
4
5
Sexual intercourse should only occur between two people who are married to each other.
1
2
3
4
5
People should not be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation.
1
2
3
4
5
Sexual intercourse should only occur between two people who are committed to each other.
1
2
3
4
5
Please check ( ) the appropriate discipline. If you are seeking a dual/joint degree, please check
both disciplines.
What is your area of study?
 Business
 Engineering
 Liberal Studies
Administration
 Physical Therapy
Work
 Criminal Justice
 Hospitality
 Nursing
 Psychology
 Education
 Law
 Public
 Social
17.
Please check ( ) the appropriate answer.
How close to completing your degree are you?
 Just started first class/semester
 About ¼ finished
 About ½ finished
 About ¾ finished
 Last class/semester/Al l but Dissertation
18.
Please check ( ) the correct category.
My age is:
 21-30
 31-40
 41-50
 51-60
 61-70
 71+
19.
Please check ( ) the response that most accurately describes how you feel about yourself.
I consider myself:
 Female
 Male
 Transgender
* Posted with permission from Dr. Terri Fisher. For more information about the ATSS, contact
Dr. Fisher at fisher.16@osu.edu.
Thank you for completing this survey and participating in this study. If you have questions
about this study, about any of the topics on the questionnaire, and/or would like a copy of the finished
study, please contact me at my Widener office number between 10-2 Monday through Friday at
610-499-4606 or via email at raf0303@mail.widener.edu Thank you again.