Information Sheet for Participation in a Research Study

Principal Investigator: Andrea M. Dietrich

IRB# 19-550: Drinking Water Quality Sensory Attribute Assessment  

You are invited to participate in a research study. This form includes information about the study and contact information if you have any questions.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will complete an on-line survey. As part of the study, you will be asked to obtain a glass of tap water from your residence or work place, drink the water, then: 1) rate how well you like it; 2) describe its flavor using check-list of descriptors provided in the survey; 3) provide data on the location and type of building from which the tap water was obtained; and 4) answer demographic questions. The study should take approximately 15 minutes of your time. The purpose of the study is to gain input on consumers’ perceptions about their tap water.

We do not anticipate any risks from completing this study.

You can choose whether to be in this study or not. If you volunteer to be in this study, you may withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind. You may also refuse to answer any questions you don’t want to answer and remain in the study. The investigator may withdraw you from this research if circumstances arise which warrant doing so.  

We will do our best to protect the confidentiality of the information we gather from you, but we cannot guarantee 100% confidentiality.

Your responses are anonymous, so no one can associate your answers back to you. Please do not include your name or other identifying information in your responses that can identify you.

If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact Andrea M. Dietrich, andread@vt.edu. You are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies because of your participation in this research study. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, contact the Virginia Tech HRPP Office at 540-231-3732 (irb@vt.edu).

Please print out a copy of this information sheet for your records.

[If applicable: If you would like to participate in this survey, click yes to begin or no to exit].

You are invited to participate in a research study led by Dr. Andrea Dietrich at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.

This study is gathering information on how well people like the taste of their tap water and how they describe the flavor descriptors for their tap water. There are no anticipated risks involved in this project. You will drink a tap water of your choice and provide your opinion.

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes of your time. All answers are confidential. There is no compensation for participating in this survey.

If you have questions for the research team, please contact Dr. Andrea Dietrich, Principal Investigator, at andread@vt.edu.  This research has been reviewed by the Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board (IRB). You may communicate with them at 540-231-3732 or irb@vt.edu (IRB 19-550) if you have questions.