Proposal for an Institutional Review Board

Intital Review Form

Institutional Review Board is designed to review all proposed research involving human subject to ensure that the subjects rights and welfare are adequately protected. The Boards membership, policies, and procedures are governed by guidelines developed by the Federal government. In general, IRB analyze the balance between foreseeable risks to the participants and anticipated benefits to the participants and science. To complete a thorough review of the research conducted at Wisconsin Lutheran College, the IRB Chair and appointed members must review each study to determine whether the benefits to the subjects outweigh and risks.

Please type responses to each item below 1. Title of Study: Impact of Gender Roles on Dating Relationships 2. Name of Principle Investigator:

3. Name(s) of other Researchers: 4. Supervising Instructor and Course (if applicable): Doctor Hoehl 5. Date(s) study will be conducted: November 14, 2012 6. Location study will be conducted: Wisconsin Lutheran College 7. Do you have external funding for this research? If yes, from where? 8. As Principal Investigator, do you have a conflict of interest with this study? Yes If yes, what are the conflicts? Yes


No

No

9. Describe the theoretical grounding and important terms for this research. Grounding for this study is to determine whether or not the fulfillment of gender roles, or lack of, impacts dating relationships positively or negatively. Most traditional couples assume the expected gender roles that culture has created, however, there are couples who follow a more modern approach to gender roles. Current research looks at the possibility that dating couples have similar expectations for gender role fulfillment, and at levels of relational satisfaction related to this topic. Important Terms for this research include: Gender roles: a set of behaviors that indicates one's gender, specifically the image projected by a person that identifies their femaleness or maleness; an overt public presentation of gender identity (Merriam-Webster) Interpersonal Communication: the process of sending or receiving messages with another person (as defined by The Interpersonal Communication Book 12th Edition by Joseph DeVito)

10. Describe the specific aims of the study including general purpose and question or hypothesis of the research study. If possible or applicable, include the design of the study. This study aims to identify if couples experience greater satisfaction in their romantic interpersonal relationships when traditional gender roles are fulfilled as opposed to any sort of role reversal. The goal is to distinguish between what is expected from each sex when romantically involved, to explain what interpersonal communication entails in a dating setting, and finally to explore the results in these relationships when gender roles are met by expected male or female or when they are shared between both. Hypothesis: How does the fulfillment of traditional gender roles impact satisfaction in heterosexual dating relationships?

11. Describe the anticipated participant sample or the population from which you will sample the participants. Carefully identify whether their status is special, vulnerable, or otherwise protected by federal law.
My goal is to have the participation of 40 people who are students at a conservative, Christian college. It is a requirement that each study participant has had experience in a dating relationship in either their high school or college years. Participants can be in any grade and either male or female. No participants have special status.

12. Describe the instruments and materials (i.e. PowerPoint, music, video, word list) used in this study. Explain whether the instruments potentially increase risk or offer beneficial information for the participant. Attach a participant ready copy of all instruments including the demographic survey. Participants will be asked to fill out a 38 question survey entitled "Couples Gender-Based Questionnaire". They will be asked to provide some basic information including age, gender, race and class standing. In this questionnaire, participants will read several statements and respond appropriately with an M if it is more characteristic of males, an F if it is more characteristic of females, and a B if the statement is equally true of both males and females. They will also be asked to respond to 5 short answer questions asking them about the impact of gender roles on their own relationships. This survey was found using PsycTESTS Eckstein, D., Love, P., Aycock, K. J., & Wiesner, V. V., III. (2008). Couples Gender-Based Questionnaire [Database record]. Retreived from PsycTests. doi: 10.1037/t03147-000

13. Include a description of the procedures you intend to follow in this study including:
- participant recruitment procedures - distribution process for the informed consents and debriefing forms - general procedures of the study (This is particularly important if you are conducting a study that includes participant manipulation. If you are conducting a survey, you may simply note that you will request that participants complete the survey parcket). - the space where the study will be conducted including how you intend to monitor the study and the provisions you have in case of adverse events - be sure to indicate how you will answer questions at any time and how you will allow participants to withdraw from the study

- Participants will be recruited through advertising about research night. - The sample will be a convenience sample of those who decide to participate. - Informed consent will be given immediately before the passing out of survey. - I will then request participants to complete the 38 question survey entitled Couples Gender-Based Questionnaire - Each participant will then receive a debriefing statement upon completion of the survey. - The study will take place in a class room on November 14, 2012. - Any participants with questions can approach me and ask for clarification or turn in their survey prior to completion to withdraw at any time.

14. Explain the contents of the consent forms that you intend to highlight verbally. Indicate, if any, the cover story used to disguise the true nature of the study. Include, if applicable, letters to outside institutions such as schools as well as the procedures for minor assent and guardian permission. If applicable, include reasons to waive informed consent documentation. Attach a copy of all consent forms.
The Informed Consent form will let the participants know that they are choosing to be a part of this study and at any time they can withdraw. They will be informed of the purpose to research a link between gender roles and positive or negative impacts on heterosexual dating relationships.

15. Specifically identify how you will assure that participants are volunteers, participating without coercion. Clearly indicate the procedures that you intend to use to protect participants privacy (how you will allow appropriate space when participants are completing surveys or tests). Clearly indicate the procedures you intend to use to protect anonymity (the participants names will not be used or connected with the data). Clearly indicate the procedures you intend to use to protect confidentiality (how you will share the data). Participants will be instructed to leave their name off of the survey and asked not to make any extra markings aside from those instructed. In sharing the data there will be no sharing of names of participants, results will only be shared by reporting of group scores not individual. The collected data will only be accessed by myself and Doctor Hoehl. Results of the study will be shared at a poster session at the end of the semester, again only group scores will be reported.

16. List the potential risks associated with participating in the research study and include any subject characteristics that my signify risk, deception or cover story that may be used, electronic recording equipment, intended violation of anonymity or confidentiality, physical pain, economic loss. Explain how these risks will be minimized.
There are no known risks associated with participation in this study.

17. Identify the potential benefits for participants. Benefits are those positive experiences related to the research findings or through completing the research such as the debriefing statement or learning something new about oneself.
Participants might receive positive benefits from taking time to evaluate their previous or current relationships and recognizing if the fulfillment of gender roles contributes positively or a negatively to their dating relationships. They may be able to recognize opportunities to improve upon their interpersonal relationships.

18. Describe compensations offered for participants.

Extra credit may be offered for some specific courses. Participants will be offered free t-shirts and candy as compensation.

19. Describe the debriefing procedures and how you plan to distribute the results of the study. Include a copy of the debriefing statement
Group results will be shared for participants, students and faculty of the chosen college through a poster session held on the campus. Participants can also contact myself or Doctor Hoehl through email for results at the end of the semester if they wish. Upon completion of the questionnaire participants will receive a debriefing statement which highlights the intention of the study to evaluate how expected gender roles impact dating relationships, and why this research is beneficial. The debriefing statement will also include my contact information if they wish to acquire any additional information regarding the study.