Mississippi Town

A study of economic development and everyday life in Tunica County, MS

The below provides information related to the work that Dr. Brian Foster is doing in Tunica, MS. Please review this carefully, and if you have any questions at all, please reach out to Dr. Foster directly.

Study ID: UVA IRB-SBS # 5776

Researcher: Dr. Brian Foster (662-610-7783, b.brian.foster@virginia.edu)

Purpose of the research study: The purpose of this research is to better understand the economy (e.g., job availability, cost of living) of Tunica County, Mississippi.

What you will do in the study: You will participate in one of two types of interviews:

"My 2 Cents" conversation: 20–30 minute phone or in-person conversation focused on your thoughts about life in Tunica County: what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what people should understand to get the story right.
"My Story" interview: 60 minute in-person oral history interview—to take place at a place like the R.C. Irwin Library, Rec Center, or a location of your choosing. This interview will invite you to reflect on your life, neighborhood, work, and memories of Tunica County—especially before and after casino development. Unless you prefer not to, I would like to record the My Story interview.

Both formats are voluntary. If you’re open to it, I’d like to record the My Story interview using a standard audio recorder so I can accurately reflect what you share. If you prefer not to be recorded, that is no problem. If we don't cover everything, I may ask if you would be willing to have a short follow-up conversation.

Risks: There are no anticipated risks to you from participating in the study. Your participation will be kept completely confidential, and no one will have access to your interview responses but me. Still, you should feel free to skip any questions that you are not comfortable discussing; and you may choose to pause or stop the study at any time.

Benefits: There are no personal benefits to you for participating in this study. Your participation will help researchers and policy makers understand what it’s like to live in a place like Tunica.

Confidentiality: The information that you give in the study will be handled confidentially. I will store all files and materials related to your interview in an encrypted folder on the encrypted servers of the University of Virginia. For the duration of the study, only I will have access to materials related to your participation in this study. To ensure confidentiality, your information will be assigned a code number (this is done to avoid having to use your legal name and/or other identifying information). The list connecting your name to this code will be kept separate from your interview materials in a locked file.

Voluntary participation: Your participation in the study is completely voluntary. You do not have to volunteer for this study, and there is no penalty if you refuse. If you start the study and decide that you do not want to finish, just let me know. If you agreed to have any part of your interview recorded, that recording will be deleted immediately and completely. Whether or not you participate or withdraw will not have any effect on any aspect of your life.

How to withdraw from the study: If you would like to pause your participation in the study, or if you would like to withdraw from the study, you can let me know at any time. It is perfectly fine for you to pause or withdraw during your interview. I will delete the partially recorded audio file and answer any follow-up questions you may have. You may also wish to pause or withdraw from the study before or after we meet for your interview. In this case, just let me know by phone or email.

Payment: You will receive no payment for participating in the study.

Using data beyond this study: I will retain data collected in this study in a password protected folder, on encrypted servers. If you would like for me to delete any of your materials (e.g., the audio file or transcript of your interview), you can let me know that now or at any time moving forward, and I will do so immediately.

If you have questions about the study, you may contact Dr. Brian Foster directly. You can reach him by text or call at (662) 610-7783, or email at b.brian.foster@virginia.edu

To obtain more information about the study, ask questions about the research procedures, express concerns about your participation, or report illness, injury or other problems, please contact: Tonya R. Moon, Ph.D. You can reach Dr. Moon by phone at (434) 924-5999 or email at irbsbshelp@virginia.edu.