Page 430 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

Appendix “A”

STATEMENT OF INFORMED CONSENT

(Submitted for WISR Approval)

Michael D. Ratner

Community Conversation Research Forms

WESTERN INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH

Informed Consent Statement and Participant Consent Form

©2018

SAMPLE

Introduction and Purpose

I am a graduate student at the Western Institute for Social Research in Berkeley, California

and a Ph.D. candidate. I am conducting a study on how Community Conversations can influence

public opinion and attitudes in creating social change. My current research focuses on the

interactions that happen among participants engaged in these dialogues that are open for public

participation. Public dialogue stands out from other forms of civic engagement and events in

several ways as it promotes the gathering of unrelated and non-affiliated individuals to exchange

ideas and perspectives. Community Conversations encourages an open dialogue whereby each

participant of the group is invited to engage freely and authentically with others. Dialogues of this

nature in the public sphere can promote the bridging of differences by fostering spaces and places

for thoughtful discourse and promote the discussion of sensitive topics with candor in a safe

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