Informed Consent

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Form 2- Informed Consent By Participants In a Research Study

The University and those conducting this research study subscribe to the ethical conduct of research and to the protection at all times of the interests, comfort, and safety of participants. This research is being conducted under permission of the Simon Fraser Research Ethics Board. The chief concern of the Board is for the health, safety and psychological well-being of research participants.

Should you wish to obtain information about your rights as a participant in research, or about the responsibilities of researchers, or if you have any questions, concerns or complaints about the manner in which you were treated in this study, please contact the Director, Office of Research Ethics by email at hweinber@sfu.ca or phone at 604-268-6593.

Your signature on this form will signify that you have received a document which describes the procedures, possible risks, and benefits of this research study, that you have received an adequate opportunity to consider the information in the documents describing the study, and that you voluntarily agree to participate in the study.

Any information that is obtained during this study will be kept confidential to the full extent permitted by the law. Knowledge of your identity is not required. You will not be required to write your name or any other identifying information on research materials. Materials will be maintained in a secure location.

Title: Social Dynamics of Economic Performance: Innovation and Creativity in City-Regions

Investigator Name: Richard Smith

Investigator Department: Communication

Having been asked to participate in the research study named above, I certify that I have read the procedures specified in the Study Information Document describing the study. I understand the procedures to be used in this study and the personal risks to me in taking part in the study as described below:

Risks to the participant, third parties or society:

There are no risks to the participants in our study. The cost of participation is a loss of time, but in preliminary discussions the participants have indicated that the results of research of this sort would be useful to them. There is no perceived danger to the participants in this research and no deception will be practiced.

Benefits of study to the development of new knowledge:

Recognizing Canada’s unusually varied regional structure, its highly urbanized character, and its socially diverse cities, a Canadian study of the social determinants of urban economic performance will be of great interest to scholars in Canada and abroad, as well as to a wider lay audience. It also holds great promise to produce breakthrough insights into the processes underlying the geographical concentration of innovation and creativity, and to inform policy makers concerning the local, provincial and national initiatives that are most effective in shaping a city-region’s economic potential. Once these processes are better understood, the research will provide scholarly evidence to inform economic development policy around initiatives that enhance the circulation of knowledge both locally and non-locally, that define effective new governance mechanisms, and that shape urban quality of place in socially inclusive ways.

Procedures:

Participate in a structured interview.

I understand that I may withdraw my participation at any time. I also understand that I may register any complaint with the Director of the Office of Research Ethics or the researcher named above or with the Chair, Director or Dean of the Department, School or Faculty as shown below.

Dr. Martin Laba, Director, School of Communication
8888 University Way,
Simon Fraser University,
Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada

I may obtain copies of the results of this study, upon its completion by contacting:

The researcher (Richard Smith).

I have been informed that the research will be confidential.

I understand that my supervisor or employer may require me to obtain his or her permission prior to my participation in a study of this kind.

I understand the risks and contributions of my participation in this study and agree to participate:

Participant First Name

Participant Last Name

Participant Contact Information

Participant Signature

Date