Thesis Research Project

[Guest guest]

>>>

>>>Hello! Below you will find an invitation to participate in my study on

how couples cope when physical ailments such as vulvodynia or IC cause a

decrease or elimination of sexual intimacy. You have may have already

responded to this invitation and have already had an interview with me, and

if so, please disregard it. But, many new members have joined this list

since I first asked for participants. This invitation outlines terms of the

study, what your role will be, and how your anonymity will be protected.

Please read this thoroughly and follow the instructions for response at the

bottom of the page. Thank you in advance to all that respond. As a patient

of vulvodynia, I feel that more research needs to be done on the affect

these disorders have on our relationships with others. With your help, I

will be able to do much needed research on vulvar disorder patients. I look

forward to hearing from you.

>>>

>>>Sincerely,

>>>

>>>Aimee Dubois

>>>Central Michigan University

>>>

>>>

>>>Title of Project: Living with Painful Sex: How Couples Copw through the

Renegotiation of Intimacy

>>>

>>>Name of Investigator: Aimee DuBois Phone: E-mail:

aimee.d.dubois@...

>>>

>>>INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE

>>>

>>>-You have been invited to participate in a research study. The

information that follows is provided to help make an informed decision

whether or not to participate in this research project. If you have any

questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

>>>

>>>-I, the researcher, hope to learn how the sexually intimate relationships

of women with vulvar disorders are affected by the disorder and how the

couple communicates in order to cope with the problem. This research

project is being completed as a requirement for the Master of Arts degree in

the Speech Communicaiton and Dramatic Arts department at Central Michigan

University.

>>>

>>>-As a person with a vulvar disorder or a partner of someone who is, and

over the age of 18, you are eligible to participate in this study. Your

participation in this project is totally voluntary.

>>>

>>>-If you choose to participate in this research project, you will be

interviewed once over the Internet by the researcher, Aimee DuBois. The

length of the interview will vary depending on your experiences, althought I

expect the interview to last approximately 1 hour. In order to participate,

you must have a computer with the Internet, and have access to America On

Line Instant Messenger Service. If you do not already have access,

directions have been given to you below on how to down load the service for

free. With your permission, the interview will be printed out for analysis.

>>>

>>>-The potential risks created by this study are minimal. There are no

potential physical risks. Some risk of psychological distress exists, as

the interivew will require you to talk about potentially sensitive or

uncomfortable topics, some of which you may never have discussed before.

Measures will be taken to protect your identity, such as any reference to

your name, user name, or e-mail address will be blacked out on the printed

copy of the interview. You will also be asked to use a fictitious name

during the interview.

>>>

>>>-Any reference to your name or address will be kept strictly

confidential. The information obtained during the interview may be

published in scientific journals or presented at professional meetings, but

your identity will be kept strictly confidential.

>>>

>>>-The researcher will keep a printed copy of the interview. During the

completion of the project, the only persons who will have access to this

information will be the researcher and the three members of her reserach

committee. All possible measures are being taken to protect your identity.

>>>

>>>-Please remember that at any time during the project, you may refuse to

participate. Your participation in this project is voluntary, and

therefore, you may choose to withdraw from the project or terminate or

postpone the interview at any time.

>>>

>>>-If you have any questions at this time, please phone or e-mail me. If

you have additional questions later, Aimee DuBois will be happy to answer

rhem at (517)779-1067. After May 9th, 1999, Aimee DuBois may be reached at

(815)389-1469.

>>>

>>>

>>>REQUEST FOR RESPONSE

>>>

>>>-If you would like to participate in this study, please e-mail me at

aimee.d.dubois@.... Your response will act as an informed consent in

which you agree to the terms of the stucy. You will need to indicate

whether or not you still need to get access to America On Line Instant

Messenger Service (instructions below). Also please indecate your AOL

Instant Messenger User ID and whether or not your current partner (if you

have one) will also be participating and some dates and times that you would

be available to be interviewed on line.

>>>

>>>If you do not respond to this message, I will assume that you do no wish

to participate.

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>****Instructions to get America On Line Instant Messenger Service for Free:

>>>

>>>-on the Internet, go to www.aol.com

>>>-click on box that says " AOL Instant Messenger Service free "

>>>-click on " sign up now, click here " sign

>>>-from here, follow the directions. You will be asked for informaiton

like name and e-mail address and you will be asked to choose a user ID and

password. For the purposes of this study, please choose an ID that isnot

your name, so that your identity will be further protected. Then, e-mail me

with your ID and some dates and times that might work for an interview. If

you have questions or problems, let me know.

>>>

>>>

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