Informed Consent
Roger J. Kuhn, a doctoral candidate in human sexuality, at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, California, is conducting a study on the experience of Two-Spirit people and love.
As a person identified as having such experience, you are invited to participate in this study. It will involve completion of an online interview at a mutually agreed upon time. The interview has been designed to last approximately one hour and no longer than one- and-a-half hours if a follow up is needed. During that time, you will be invited to talk in a manner you find safe and comfortable concerning your personal understanding of Two-Spirit love. No preparation on your part is required for any part of the process.
For the protection of your privacy, all information will be kept strictly confidential and your identity will be protected within the limits of the law. The research procedure has been designed to not collect unnecessary identifiers, and personal information will be kept separate from the questionnaire and interview data. The interviewer will also ask you to refrain from giving names and when necessary to use pseudonyms when referring to any other persons in the questionnaire and interview. All audio recordings will be erased following transcription. Additionally, any identifying information will be removed from both sets of data. Your request to omit from the dissertation particular details that you specify to the Principle Investigator will be honored.
Only the Principal Investigator, Roger J. Kuhn, M.A., and his dissertation Chair, Dr. Nicolle Zapien, will have access to the data associated with this study. Electronic data will be password protected and hardcopy data will be stored in a locked area accessible only by the Principal Investigator and destroyed within three years of completion of this research project. To further ensure your privacy, the investigator will use numeric identifiers of all data used by any third- party transcribers. In the publication or presentation of the findings, no information that could personally identify any of the participants will be used.
For your participation, a $50 Amazon gift card will be issued upon completion of the interview.
If you choose to take part, your contribution will help increase understanding about Two-Spirit people, an area of knowledge that has rarely been discussed in the professional literature. In addition, participation in the study may benefit others seeking to learn about Two-Spirit people. Before you agree to participate, it is important to understand that, while this study is designed to minimize potential risks, this inquiry may touch sensitive areas. In other words, depending on your unique history with the topic, it is possible to experience discomfort when discussing situations that were challenging for you. If you have any concerns or questions before, during, or after your interview, the principal investigator will make every effort to discuss them and inform you of options for resolving your concerns, including providing crisis numbers and referral to a therapist.
Should any participant feel the desire to speak to a mental health professional, the following referrals (also listed on twospiritlove.com) are available:
Native American Health Center (San Francisco) - 415-621-8051
Native American Health Center (Oakland) - 510-535-4400
PsychologyToday.com
Center for Mindful Psychotherapy – mindfulcenter.org
Center for Somatic Psychotherapy – ciis.edu
In addition, should you at any time wish to discuss issues related to your contribution to this study, including questions regarding your rights as a participant, suggestions for how to minimize potential risk, or concerns that you have been put at risk, you may share your concerns (anonymously, if you wish) with the Human Research Review Committee at the California Institute of Integral Studies 1453 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 or e-mailhrrcoffice@ciis.edu.
Participation in this study is completely voluntary. If you decide to participate, you may refuse to answer any question(s), withdraw your consent, and/or discontinue your participation at any time and for any reason without penalty or prejudice. You may also request a summary of the research findings by providing a mailing address along with your signature below.
I, _____________________ (your name), attest that:
• I have read, understood, and received a copy of this consent form, the Human Subject Bill of Rights, and the Confidentiality Statement;
• I have had any questions about this research answered to my satisfaction;
• I understand that my confidentiality will be protected within the limits of the law;
• I consent to participate in this study on the experience of Two-Spirit love
• I am willingly and voluntarily participating in this research.
_______________________________________ _______________
Participant’s Signature Date
If you would like to receive a written summary of the results of the study, please provide an address where it can be sent to you.