Informed Consent Information
Title of the Research Study: Program Evaluation of USAID RenewHealth Training of Community Facilitators
Name of Sponsor / Funder / Grant-Provider: USAID RenewHealth implemented by URC
Name of Principal Investigator (PI): Maria Regina Hechanova
Contact Information of PI: rhechanova@ateneo.edu
You are being invited to participate in a research study. Your participation is voluntary, which means you are free to choose whether or not to participate. If you decide not to participate there will be no impact in your training participation.
Before you make a decision you will need to know what the study is about, the possible risks and benefits of being in the study, and what you will have to do if you decide to participate. The researcher is going to give you this document to read.
Do not sign or agree to participate if you are unsure or have remaining questions. Please ask the researcher to explain anything unclear to you, including any words in this form. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to check the agree button in your computer screen and a copy or record of your consent and the study information can be saved in your computer. Keep this form as it has the contact information and answers to questions about the study.
What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of the study is to determine learners’ perceptions of their online learning experiences at USAID RenewHealth. Its online training program can be accessed through the CBDR Learning Portal, a Learning Management System (LMS) supported by Moodle. The research team will analyze the survey data and work on identifying strengths and weaknesses of the online courses. The data will help the team identify areas for development to make its online course delivery more effective
Why am I being asked to participate in the study?
You are being asked to join this study because of your contribution in the implementation of CBDR services in your community. Your local government unit (LGU) has endorsed your participation in our training program to further improve your CBDR knowledge and facilitation skills in providing CBDR interventions.
The Learning Management System administrator received endorsements from LGUs and emails endorsed participants with a link to the LMS. Therefore, you received this invitation. You (User) are asked to register in the LMS and as part of the registration process, you are provided with this informed consent. To indicate your consent (by clicking a button) for your data to be used for research purposes. You are then expected to attend online trainings and complete program evaluations.
What will I be asked to do?
Upon endorsements from your respective LGUs, you received this invitation to participate in USAID RenewHealth Training Program for Community facilitators. Apart from attending online trainings, you are asked to complete online survey to determine training program effectiveness. then expected to attend online trainings and complete program evaluations.
How long will I be in the study?
The study will take place over a period of 3-6 months to complete the 4-part training program. This means for the next 6 months we will ask you to spend 8 sessions a month participating in this study. Each session will last approximately 3-4 hours. Sessions can either be synchronous via zoom and asynchronous session via CBDR Learning Portal.
Where will the study take place?
You will be asked to log-in to the CBDR Learning Portal. This online learning management system will be the main mode of delivering USAID RenewHealth Training Program. The program evaluation is embedded in the system and are expected to be completed by the participants after they have accomplished various training courses.
Are there any risks and what are they?
The study involves no risks beyond those encountered in normal everyday life. The training program simply develops motivational interviewing and facilitation skill and there are no expected negative repercussions. However, there are some risks that can be associated with sending and storing data online that are beyond the researchers’ control such as data breach. However, the researchers will take all the necessary measures to reduce the risks. Below are privacy policies and terms of conditions of the online platforms to be used.
CBDR Portal Privacy Policy: https://cbdr.org.ph/?page_id=3
CBDR Portal Terms of Use Statement: https://cbdr.org.ph/?page_id=692
What are the benefits of participating in the study?
Possible benefit of the training program is designed to hone the skills of individuals delivering community-based drug rehabilitation. The study seeks to validate the effectiveness of the training program. Moreover, the program will provide information on the feasibility of utilizing digital technology to train community facilitators. Given that the drug problem will not be easily solved, it is important for communities to have a cadre of community facilitators who can deliver CBDR effectively.
What happens if I do not choose to join the research study? Can I stop or withdraw from the study even after it has started?
You may choose to join the study or you may choose not to join the study. Your participation is voluntary. There is no penalty if you choose not to join the research study. You will not lose any benefits or advantages that you are now receiving or will receive in the future. Your LGUs will not be upset with your decision.
You can stop your participation in the research study and withdraw your data at any time even after it has started. There is no penalty or loss of benefits if you decide to do so.
If you no longer wish to be part of the research study, or if you want to withdraw your data so that the research will no longer use it, please inform via email the researchers. See below details:
Main Researcher: Maria Regina Hechanova (rhechanova@ateneo.edu)
Co-Researcher: Jason Manaois (manaois.jason@gmail.com)
How will confidentiality be maintained and my privacy protected? What personal or identifiable data will you obtain? Who will have access to or see my data?
The information you provide is confidential. Your full name will not appear on any of the questionnaires, and information identifying you will not appear in any report or publication of this research. Only the principal investigator will know the identity associated with the information collected for this study, and they will not reveal it to anyone else.
There are instances in which information concerning your data would have to be released without your consent. This would happen if you pose a serious danger to yourself or others, or if there is evidence to suggest child abuse or neglect.
Will I have to pay for anything?
No payment required to participate in USAID RenewHealth Trainings.
Will I be paid for participating in this study?
You will not receive any payment for participating in this research study.
Who can I call for questions about the study or if I’m concerned about my rights as a research participant?
If you have questions or concerns regarding the study and your participation in it, contact the Principal Investigator listed on page 1 of this form.
If a member of the research team cannot be reached or you want to talk to someone other than those working on the study, you may contact the University Research Ethics Office at the Ateneo de Manila University by calling mobile no 0945 2136758 or landline (632) 8426-4001 local 4030 for any question, concern, or complaint about your rights as a research subject.
I have been invited to participate in a study about Program Evaluation of USAID RenewHealth Training of Community Facilitators. In the study I am asked to attend in online trainings and complete program evaluation surveys.
Statement by the researcher/person obtaining consent
I confirm that the participant was given an opportunity to ask questions about the study, and all the questions asked by the participant have been answered correctly and to the best of my ability. I confirm that the individual has not been coerced into giving consent, and the consent has been given freely and voluntarily.
A copy of this document has been provided to the participant.
Signature of Researcher /person taking the consent:
Print Name of Researcher/person taking the consent: JASON O. MANAOIS
Date (month/day/year):
