Introduction My name is Natalie Watts, and I am a certified personality trainer and co-director of a family life development educational classes, at a local church. As a graduate student researcher at Western Governors University (WGU), part of my capstone includes investigating the effects of an intervention, Personality-Based Communication Instructional Strategies, on parents’ communication skills and the parent-child relationship.
Description of the Project The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of Personality-Based Communication Instructional Strategies on parent-child relationships through improved communication skills with their children. The intervention is an instruction that teaches various ways to use and adjust volume, tones, gestures, and words as it specifically aligns with the four basic personality temperaments so that parents can communicate expectations effectively to their children and elicit desired results. The participants used for this study are a part of the researcher’s social network group. This class will not have a financial obligation. However, it will require participants to invest their time and active participation in class and at home. A personality profile will be administered, and role play, class participation and parent-child implementation will be requested. The research agenda expands across a timespan of approximately twenty-one days beginning with this initial consent form and registration for the intervention (class) and includes pre and post surveys and assessments. The class will be conducted for eight hours over a timespan of fourteen days with implementation occurring throughout the fourteen days. The instruction will be separated into eight sessions as follows: • Three, two-hour video group sessions via Zoom Video Communications, Inc. • Four, fifteen-minute pre-recorded video sessions viewed at participants convenience between group sessions after Group Session One and prior to the Group Session Three • One, one-hour individual session via telephone or Zoom Video Communication, Inc.
Benefits and Risks of the Study The data collected from surveys and assessments will not be used to formulate opinions nor judgments on parents or their parenting styles and behaviors. The discussions, questions, answers, and information gathered from the class will be used solely for the purpose of training, intervention and investigating the impact Personality-Based Communication Instructional Strategies has on parents’ ability to elicit desired results from their children in a less stressful manner than prior to the intervention. The risks are minimal and the probability and magnitude of physical or psychological harm is not greater than that which is normally encountered in daily life. Some risks may include awareness of one’s self in some areas that may be challenging to adjust for best parent-child relationship results. Participants may be exposed to the usual risk of participation and/or assessment anxiety. The benefit of the class is that it will provide additional tools for parents to use when communicating with their children in efforts to elicit desired results. This study may help us understand that effective communication can improve the parent-child relationship, through respect, understanding, acceptance, and tailored communication for individuals.
Confidentiality The participants’ information will remain confidential, and only be used for the intended purpose of the research. All participants will receive an ID code to protect their identity. ID codes will be assigned to the names so that no names, only percentages, need to be used to analyze and report the data. All information will be stored in a locked file cabinet and password protected computer and destroyed after the study is completed.
Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and you have the right to withdraw at any time. If you find it necessary to withdraw from the study, please contact the researcher in writing via the email. The results from data collected will be excluded from the final report.
Questions, Rights and Complaints If you have any problems, questions, or concerns please contact me, Natalie Watts, by phone/text (708.369.6847) or email natalie@mudworks.biz. If you have unresolved questions or complaints you may contact WGU IRB by emailing IRB@wgu.edu. Please note that you have the right to review the results of the study.
Consent Statement By signing this document, you agree to the following: • Grant permission for participant data collection and reporting necessary for this study. • Voluntarily agree to participate in the study and have your questions answered. • Acknowledge that you have received a copy of the form. • Your participation in a survey constitutes your informed consent.
