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What, if anything, will we gain from being involved in this study?
Some people may enjoy being part of a project that might help other home visiting programs in the
future. Some people may enjoy the chance to discuss their work. All participants will contribute to
creating new knowledge on a topic where there has been little or no research in the past. However,
there are no guaranteed benefits per se, from taking part in this study.
Are there any other details we should know about?
Staff and volunteers’ participation is completely voluntary. People who take part will
be free to choose not to answer any question during the interview. A participant can also stop the
interview at any time, for any reason.
Participants will be free to withdraw from the study, for any reason. They must
withdraw before I start the data analysis phase of the research. If a participant withdraws, all of
her/his contributions to the study will be removed from the research. All records from that person’s
interview will be destroyed.
All efforts will be made to protect participants’ identity. No names will be used.
However, it is possible that some readers will know (or think they know) who said something in the
study. If your home visiting program takes part, the program will be named in the study.
This may make it easier for some people who know your program to figure out who said what in the
study. More details are contained in the document, “Info. and Consent Form for Study Participants.”
The senior staff person within your program must agree that each staff member and
volunteer is free to decide whether or not to take part in the study. She/he must also commit that no
person’s employment or volunteering will be negatively affected by either taking part, or not taking
part, in the study. More detailed info. is contained in the “Memorandum of Understanding.”
What will be done with the information from the study?
All of the information will be analysed and written into a full thesis report (while programs will be
named, individuals will not be named). A plain-language (non-academic) summary of the findings will
be sent to participants, home visiting programs, and other organizations in the voluntary, health, and
social services sectors. I will write up the findings as an article and submit them to academic
journals. I may also present at conferences. I hope to get the information out as broadly as possible.
I/we have questions or concerns. Who should I talk to?
Please contact me directly, or if you prefer, talk with the person who gave you this information.
I know that everyone is very busy and juggling multiple demands – especially in voluntary and
non-governmental service organizations. With this in mind, I am especially grateful for
your time and assistance. I really hope your program will decide to get involved. However, I
know that some programs may choose not to take part in the study, and I understand there are
many reasons that can lead people to that decision.
I am happy to answer any questions or respond to any concerns you may have. I look
forward to hearing back from someone within your organization, at your earliest convenience.
With much appreciation,
Maura K. Donovan
0-902-463-7149 (reverse the charges/call collect) or mdonovan@dal.ca
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