Research study consent
Welcome to the Study
Thank you for your interest in the Rural Neighborhood Environments and Physical Activity Study. Please read the information below carefully before deciding whether to participate.
This is a national study of rural neighborhoods drawn from selected rural ZIP Codes and Census Block Groups across the United States.
Principal Investigators:
Dr. Marc Adams at Arizona State University (ASU) and Dr. Marilyn Wende at the University of Florida (UF)
IRB of Record: Arizona State University Institutional Review Board
Why am I being invited to take part in a research study?
We are inviting adults aged 45 or older who live in one of the selected rural locations for our research and meet the eligibility criteria. We are interested in learning about your neighborhood environment, your physical activity, and your health.
Why is this research being done?
The purpose of this research is to better understand how features of rural neighborhoods—such as sidewalks, street lighting, and traffic control—relate to physical activity and health among middle-aged and older adults. This research will help inform future programs and policies to improve health in rural communities.
How long will the research last?
Participation will take about 20–45 minutes to complete a one-time online survey depending on your pace.
How many people will be studied?
We expect approximately 1,200 participants from selected rural Census Block Groups across the United States.
What happens if I say yes, I want to be in this research?
If you voluntarily agree to participate: You will complete an online survey in English or Spanish. The survey will ask about: Your physical activity and daily routines; your perceptions of your neighborhood (walkability, safety, and social environment); basic demographic information (age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, education, etc.); and your home address (used only to confirm eligibility and link neighborhood characteristics). You are free to decide whether you wish to participate in this study. If you choose not to take part, there are no alternative activities or requirements.
What happens if I say yes, but I change my mind later?
You can leave the research at any time without penalty or loss of benefits from Arizona State University or the University of Florida.
Is there any way being in this study could be bad for me?
Privacy risk: The main risk is a potential loss of confidentiality. All files will be stored on password-protected secure servers accessible only to the research team. Although every effort will be made to protect your information, there is a small chance confidentiality could be breached.
Will being in this study help me in any way?
There are no direct personal benefits to you for participating. However, your responses will help researchers understand how rural neighborhoods affect health and physical activity, which may inform future rural strategies and community planning efforts.
What happens to the information collected for the research?
Your information will be kept confidential to the extent allowed by law. Your name will not appear in any reports or publications. De-identified data may be combined with neighborhood-level measures (from public datasets and artificial intelligence analysis) for research purposes. De-identified data may be retained for future research and stored securely at Arizona State University and the University of Florida for up to 6 years after the end of the study, with access limited to authorized research staff. You also give permission for your study information (without your name or contact information) for future analyses that are not yet planned. You may opt out of this voluntary study at any time without impacting your relationship with ASU.
What else do I need to know?
This research is funded by the National Cancer Institute (R21-CA293976).
Compensation
You will receive a $15 gift card for completing and submitting the survey.
Questions or Concerns
- For questions about the study: Contact Dr. Marc Adams at Arizona State University ( Marc.Adams@asu.edu, 480-884-2544)
- For questions about your rights as a research participant, please contact the Arizona State University Office of Research Compliance:
Consent Statement
By selecting “I Agree” below, you confirm that:
- You have read and understood the information provided above.
- You are 45 years of age or older and meet the eligibility criteria.
- You voluntarily agree to participate in this study.
