Advisor Communication

University of Southern Maine

CONSENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH

Project Title: Regulation and Client-Advisor Communication

Principal Investigator(s): Derek Tharp, Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Southern Maine. Email: [email protected]

Introduction:
This study will help researchers gain a better understanding of advisor-client communication. Please read this form. Your participation is voluntary.
Why is this study being done?
The purpose of this to help understand how regulation influences client-advisor communication.
Who will be in this study?
This survey is intended only for financial advisors who are age 18 or older living in the United States. This study aims to receive roughly 200 respondents.
What will I be asked to do?
Participants will be asked to provide some general information about themselves. Additionally, participants will be asked to share some information about how they communicate with clients. It is estimated that participating in the survey will take less than 5 minutes. All responses will be provided through an online survey.
What are the possible risks of taking part in this study?
There are no reasonably foreseeable risks associated with participation in this study.
What are the possible benefits of taking part in this study?
This study may help researchers and policymakers understand how policies and regulation may be designed to better protect consumers in the marketplace.
What will it cost me?
Participants are not expected to incur any costs as a result of participating in this research.
How will my privacy be protected?
This survey is designed to be anonymous, please do not include any information anywhere on the survey that may individually identify you or anyone else. Research records will be kept in an encrypted folder on the computer of the Principal Investigator. Data will be encrypted using industry standards. Please note that the Institutional Review Board may review the research records. Results of this study are intended to be published in an academic journal. Encryption will be used to keep data transferred through the online survey secure.
What are my rights as a research participant?
Your participation is voluntary. You may skip or refuse to answer any question for any reason. You are free to withdraw from this research study at any time, for any reason. If you choose to withdraw from the research there will be no penalty to you and you will not lose any benefits that you are otherwise entitled to receive. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Protection of Human Subjects at the University of Southern Maine has reviewed the use of human subjects in this research. The IRB is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of people involved in research.
What other options do I have?
Participation in this study is voluntary.
Whom may I contact with questions?
The researcher conducting this study is Derek Tharp. For questions or more information concerning this research you may contact him at [email protected].If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, you may call the USM Human Protections Administrator at (207) 228-8434 and/or email [email protected].
Will I receive a copy of this consent form?
You may print/keep a copy of this consent form.

I understand the above description of the research and the risks and benefits associated with my participation as a research subject. I understand that by proceeding with this survey I agree to take part in this research and do so voluntarily.