Survey on Clergy Responses to Marital Conflict
[Asian American pastors and/or priests — you’re invited to participate in this research project]
DEAR PASTOR/PRIEST:
RESEARCH PURPOSE:
My name is Ellie Hsieh. I am an Asian American graduate student at Virginia Tech. I am conducting a research study on the responses and perspectives of Asian American Christian clergy to marital conflict within their church communities. The purpose of my study is to understand how cultural, religious, and demographic factors in Asian clergy affect their perceptions and responses to marital conflict. This information will ideally enable mental health workers and other professionals find culturally and spiritually sensitive ways to work with Asian churches and clergy on issues related to marital conflict.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Since a study like this has never been conducted before, I would greatly appreciate your participation and input. By completing and returning the questionnaire to me, you are agreeing to participate in this study. Your identity will be kept confidential and all answers to the questions will never be associated with you in anyway. It is anticipated that there are minimal risks to you as a participant. You may reassess your past and current approaches to responding to marital conflict in your church.
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS:
Please feel free to contact me at 732-642-8043, [email protected], or my research advisor, Dr. Sandi Stith, at 703-538-8462 or [email protected], if you have any questions or concerns regarding this study or experience negative effects from your participation so that referrals for counseling may be provided. If you should have any questions about protection of human research participants regarding this study, you may contact Dr. David Moore, Chair Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects, telephone: (540) 231-4991; email: [email protected]; address: Research Compliance Office, 1880 Pratt Drive, Suite 2006 (0497), Blacksburg, VA 24061. You may choose not to participate in this study without any penalty at any time.
YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VALUED:
The questionnaire is estimated to take 25-30 minutes to complete. Please click on the link or paste the following link into your web browser to reach the questionnaire: survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1175271267542
By completing it online, you do not need to send the questionnaire to me, as your responses will already be collected. You may also print out the questionnaire by opening this Word document entitled “SurveyQues1” and complete it on paper. Please send your completed questionnaire to the address below or fax it to me at (703)-538-8465. Please do not put your name anywhere on the questionnaire. You can also e-mail me at [email protected] to give me your current address and I can send the questionnaire to you. If you choose not to complete the questionnaire online, please send your completed questionnaire to:
ATTN: Ellie Hsieh
Marriage and Family Therapy Program
7054 Haycock Rd., Suite 202
Falls Church, VA 22043
THANKS IN ADVANCE:
I look forward to receiving your completed questionnaire. Please answer all the questions on the questionnaire and return it by April 15th. If you are interested in the research results, please contact me and I will be happy to send you a summary of the study when it is finished. Thank you in advance for your help and time. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ellie Hsieh, Master’s candidate at Virginia Tech
