Dr. Andrew Stevens from the University of Wisconsin–Madison is conducting a research study about nontraditional credit use among dairy farmers in Wisconsin and surrounding areas. Eligible participants must be 18 years or older and an active dairy farmer in Wisconsin or a surrounding state.
The study consists of an online survey that is estimated to take approximately 10 minutes to complete. If you are an eligible participant and complete this survey by May 15, 2021, you may choose to enter a drawing for one of five (5) $200 Amazon gift cards. In order to enter the drawing, you will be required to share your name and email address. However, this information will not be tied to your other survey responses or used for any purpose other than distributing gift cards to recipients.
Information about this research study, the risks and benefits to you, and how your confidentiality will be protected:
Study Title: Documenting Nontraditional Credit Use Among Dairy Farmers in the Upper Midwest
Principal Investigator: Dr. Andrew Stevens (Phone: (608) 263-3212) (Email: awstevens@wisc.edu)
Description of the research
You are invited to participate in a research study about sources of agricultural credit used by dairy farmers in Wisconsin and surrounding areas. We are specifically looking to learn about the use of nontraditional lenders. Participant’s experience as a dairy farmer will be informative for this research. The purpose of the research is to document and describe nontraditional credit use among dairy farmers in the upper Midwest. This study will include active dairy farmers in Wisconsin and surrounding areas and will be conducted using an online survey.
What will my participation involve?
If you decide to participate in this research, you will be asked to complete a short online survey. The survey is estimated to take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Are there any risks to me?
There is a risk of a confidentiality breach. Participants may reveal personal, sensitive, or identifiable information when responding to open-ended questions.
Are there any benefits to me?
There are no expected direct benefits to you from participation in this study.
Will I be compensated for my participation?
If you are an eligible participant and complete this survey by May 15, 2021, you will be allowed to enter a drawing for one of five (5) $200 Amazon gift cards. If you are ineligible or do not complete this survey, you will not be entered into the drawing for an Amazon gift card.
How will my confidentiality be protected?
This study is confidential. Neither your name nor any other identifiable information will be published. Only members of the study team led by Dr. Andrew Stevens will have access to your survey responses and related data. All data will be stored securely on UW Box, University of Wisconsin–Madison’s online file storage service, in password-protected files. Participants who wish to enter the drawing for an Amazon gift card will be required to provide their name and email address, but this information will not be tied to other survey responses or used for any purpose other than distributing gift cards to recipients. Your survey responses and information will not be used or distributed for future research studies.
Whom should I contact if I have questions?
You may ask any questions about the research at any time. If you have questions about the research, you should contact the Principal Investigator Dr. Andrew Stevens at (608) 263-3212. If you are not satisfied with response of research team, have more questions, or want to talk with someone about your rights as a research participant, you should contact the Education and Social/Behavioral Science IRB Office at (608) 265-4312. If you decide not to participate or to withdraw from the study, you may do so without penalty.
Completing the survey signifies that you have read this consent information and voluntarily consent to participate.