Mississippi Town

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.

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Study ID: UVA IRB-SBS # 5776

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

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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 a 90-minute interview. To help ensure that I accurately represent your responses, I would like to record the interview using a standard audio recorder; unless you would prefer that it not be recorded, in which case I will take handwritten notes during the conversation. It is possible that you will be asked for a 30-minute follow-up interview and/or to allow me to observe you at home and as you go about your daily life.

 

Time required: Participation in this study will take about 90 minutes. Though, you are free to stop or pause your interview at any time for any reason. If you are asked and agree to participate in a follow-up interview, that interview will last about 30 minutes. And if you agree to participate in the observational component of the study, you can dictate when this happens, and you can halt observations at any time for any reason.

 

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.

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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. 

Right to withdraw from the study: 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. At that point, the interview will end, and I will delete the partial audio recording. Whether or not you participate or withdraw will not affect your current or future relationship with the Department of Sociology at the University of Virginia, or with the university itself.

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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. In this case, I am happy to answer any follow up questions you may have by phone or email.

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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 an encrypted 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. If you request for your information to be deleted, I will do so on January 1, 2027, when data collection and analysis for this study are scheduled to be completed. 

 

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

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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.