This consent form, a copy of which you may print for your records, is only part of the process of informed consent. It should give you the basic idea of what the research is about and what your participation will involve. If you would like more detail about something mentioned here, or information not included here, you should feel free to ask. Please take the time to read this carefully and to understand any accompanying information.

Dear participant,

My name is Carissa Wieler, and I am a graduate student at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Manitoba.

The research project being undertaken is a Sustainable Forest Management Network (SFMN) project and is part of a larger study being conducted by Dr. John Sinclair, NRI. The purpose of my research is to develop and assess a communication and learning web tool to enhance participation during advisory committee meetings. By virtue of taking the web tour, you have been asked to participate in this survey. For this part of the research, participants are asked to provide their feedback on the website as well as general thoughts on the usefulness of the tool. The results of this survey will be used to improve the website, as well as to provide insight into the use of this type of tool for advisory committee processes.

The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes. You can at any time end the survey by clicking the link to the Home page or closing the website. Your responses will be held in strict confidence and the results of this study will be reported with no reference to specific participants. Your mailing address may be requested if you wish to receive the summary of research findings.

Your signature on this form indicates that you have understood to your satisfaction the information regarding participation in the research project and agree to participate as a subject. In no way does this waive your legal rights nor release the researchers, sponsors, or involved institutions from their legal and professional responsibilities. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, and/or refrain from answering any questions you prefer to omit, without prejudice or consequence. Your continued participation should be informed as your initial consent, so you should feel free to ask for clarification or new information throughout your participation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Carissa Wieler
Masters Student, Natural Resources Institute
70 Dysart Road, University of Manitoba Wpg, MB R3N 2T2
(204) 668-1583, carissa.wieler@shaw.ca

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This research has been approved by the University of Manitoba Joint Faculty Ethics Review Board. If you have any concerns or complaints about the project you may contact my supervisor Dr. John Sinclair, NRI at (204) 474-8374 or the Human Ethics Secretariat at (204) 474-7122. A copy of this consent form has been given to you to keep for your records and reference.