The Ohio State University Consent to Participate in Research Study
Title: Investigation of Fracture Classification Methodologies
Protocol Number: 2025E0032
Researchers: Angela Harden, PhD, Mandy Agnew, PhD, & Christopher Goden, MA
Sponsor: N/A

This is a consent form for research participation. It contains important information about this study and what to expect if you decide to participate. Your participation is voluntary. Please consider the information carefully. Feel free to ask questions before making your decision whether or not to participate.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the tools and resources forensic practitioners use when assessing, documenting, and classifying blunt trauma. It will evaluate gaps in existing resources and determine the need for a novel, standardized long bone fracture classification method.

Procedures/Tasks: Participants will complete an anonymous online survey about their training, tools, techniques, and perspectives on blunt trauma analysis. The survey will include broad demographic questions (age), inquiries about satisfaction with existing methods, and expectations for a standardized classification system.

Duration: Participation involves a single survey, expected to take less than 5 minutes to complete. You may leave the study at any time. If you decide to stop participating in the study, there will be no penalty to you, and you will not lose any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. Your decision will not affect your future relationship with The Ohio State University.

Risks and Benefits: There are no known risks to participants as the survey does not collect personal or sensitive information. While participants may not directly benefit, their contributions will advance forensic science by addressing inconsistencies in blunt trauma classification method.

Confidentiality: Survey data will be anonymized at the point of collection and stored securely. Participants will be encouraged to choose a private setting and a convenient time to complete the survey, ensuring their responses are free from observation or intrusion. Although internet-based surveys carry minimal risk of unauthorized access, the research team will implement safeguards to ensure data protection. Responses will be reviewed only by authorized personnel and will be retained for three years post-publication before being destroyed. Information regarding participation in this study may be disclosed if required by state law. Records may be reviewed by the following groups (as applicable to the research):Office for Human Research Protections or other federal, state, or international regulatory agencies; The Ohio State University Institutional Review Board or Office of Responsible Research Practices;Authorized Ohio State University staff not involved in the study may be aware that you are participating in a research study and have access to your information; and the sponsor, if any, or agency (including the Food and Drug Administration for FDA-regulated research) supporting the study.

Future Research: Your de-identified information may be used or shared with other researchers without your additional informed consent. 

Incentives: Participants will not receive any compensation for their involvement in this study.

Participant Rights: You may refuse to participate in this study without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you are a student or employee at Ohio State, your decision will not affect your grades or employment status. If you choose to participate in the study, you may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. By agreeing to participate, you do not give up any personal legal rights you may have as a participant in this study. This study has been determined Exempt from IRB review.

Contacts and Questions: For questions, concerns, or complaints about the study you may contact Dr. Angela Harden (PI) at
angela.harden2@osumc.edu. For questions about your rights as a participant in this study or to discuss other study-related concerns or complaints with someone who is not part of the research team, you may contact the Office of Responsible Research Practices at 1-800-678-6251 or hsconcerns@osu.edu.

Providing consent:  I have read (or someone has read to me) this page and I am aware that I am being asked to participate in a research study. I have had the opportunity to ask questions and have had them answered to my satisfaction. I voluntarily agree to participate in this study. I am not giving up any legal rights by agreeing to participate. To print or save a copy of this page, select the print button on your web browser. Please click the button below to proceed and participate in this study. If you do not wish to participate, please close out your browser window.