Research

Grand Canyon University

Institutional Review Board

3300 W. Camelback Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85017

602-639-7804 | irb@gcu.edu

INFORMED CONSENT FORM

Introduction

The title of this research study is Female Residential Real Estate Brokers’ Career Progression Toward Management: A Qualitative Descriptive Inquiry.

My name is Nicole Zotto. I am doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Pamela Sitton in the College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University.

This study is about the experiences of female residential real estate brokers as they advance into management positions.

Key Information

This document explains what it means to take part in this research study. Please read it carefully before deciding whether to participate.

How do I know if I can be in this study?

You can participate in this study if you:

If you have an active real estate license.
You have ten years of real estate
You have management experience in the real estate industry.
You work in the residential real estate industry.
You manage a brokerage with 10 or more licensees.
You are female.
Willing to answer required personal, identifiable, demographic questions about age, race, educational background, and employment background.

You cannot participate in this study if you:

You have an inactive real estate license.
You have less than ten years of real estate experience.
You have no management experience in the real estate industry.
You are a non-residential real estate professional.
You manage a brokerage with less than 10 licensees.
You are not female.

Research Activities: What am I being asked to do?

If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to:

What?

You will complete a short demographic survey. This survey asks about age, gender, race, education, and work background. It will take about 5 minutes.

You will also take part in a one-on-one interview about your career and your move into management. The interview will last about 60–90 minutes.

When?

The interviews will be scheduled between January 22 and April 30, 2025.

Where?

The interview will take place online using Zoom.

How?

The individual interview will be conducted using Zoom .

Audio Recording:

I will use an audio recorder or the audio recording feature of the online conferencing platform Zoom to record your responses. Audio recordings will be stored on password-protected systems and labeled with ID codes instead of names. You cannot participate if you do not wish to be recorded.

More information on Zoom's privacy statement can be found at: https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/privacy/privacy-statement/

Video Recording

I will use Zoom to record your actions. Because this recording will show who you are, these extra steps will be taken: Video recordings will be stored on password-protected systems and labeled with ID codes instead of names. You cannot participate if you do not wish to be recorded.

More information on Zoom's privacy statement can be found at: https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/privacy/privacy-statement/

Who will have access to my data/information?

I will haveaccess to all of your data and information. In addition, my dissertation chair, committee members, and all College of Doctoral Studies Reviewers may view your information and your answers as part of the dissertation review process.

Am I required to participate in this study?

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. After reading this informed consent, you can decide whether to participate in this study or not. Also, if you choose to participate and then change your mind, you can leave the study at any time, even if you have not finished, without any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you decide to stop participation, you may do so by notifying the researcher that they would like to stop participating by simply telling the researcher during an interview or conversation. They can also send an email, text, or written message to let the researcher know they've decided to withdraw. If so, I will the information that I collected from you before you chose to stop.

Any possible risks or discomforts?

There are no known risks or discomforts from taking part in this study.

Any direct benefits for me?

There are no direct benefits to you for participating.

Any paid compensation or incentives for my time?

You will not be paid or given incentives for participating.

Presentation of Information Collected

The data from this study will be presented as part of the researcher’s doctoral dissertation and may also be disseminated through conference presentations and publication in peer-reviewed academic journals. Data will be reported in groups to show common themes. Quotes may be used, but they will not include identifying details. This helps protect your privacy.

Privacy and Data Security

Will researchers ever be able to link my data/responses back to me?

Yes, but only during data collection. Identifying information will be removed during analysis. Results will not identify you.

Will my initial data include information that can identify me (names, addresses, or other identifying material, such as audio, specific demographics, etc.)

Yes. Some identifying information may be collected, such as video and audio recordings and demographic details. This information will be removed before results are shared.

Will researchers assign my data/responses a research ID code to use instead of my name?

Yes. Each participant will be given a research ID code.

If yes, how will researchers create a list to link names with their research ID codes?

A secure list will link names to research ID codes. This list will be stored separately from the study data.

If yes, how will researchers secure the link of names and research ID codes? How long will the link be kept? Who has access? What is the approximate destruction date?

The list will be stored on GCU’s DC Network and on a password-protected flash drive. It will be kept for 10 years and destroyed around December 31, 2036. Only the researcher will have access.

How and where will my data be protected (electronic and hardcopy)?

All electronic files will be stored in secure, password-protected systems. These include consent forms, surveys, recordings, and transcripts. Files will be stored on GCU’s DC Network and a locked flash drive.

Will artificial intelligence (AI) software be used?

Yes. Zoom’s AI tools may be used to create interview transcripts. Only de-identified data will be used. No information will be shared that could identify you.

How long will the data be kept in the protected space?

The data will be kept in the protected space for ten years.

Who will have access to the protected data?

The researcher, dissertation chair, committee members, and College of Doctoral Studies reviewers may access the data for review purposes.

What is the privacy policy for survey platforms (Survey Monkey, Qualtrics, mTurk, Google, etc.), any recording software (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.), interview software, survey software, artificial intelligence software, or transcription software companies?

The privacy policy for Zoom can be found at:

https://explore.zoom.us/en/privacy/

Where and how will the signed informed consent forms be secured?

Consent forms will be signed online before the survey and interview. Signed forms will be stored on a secure flash drive and GCU’s dissertation platform.

Future Research

After names and identifying details are removed, the de-identified data may be used for future research or shared with other researchers. No additional consent will be required.

Study Contacts

Any questions you have concerning the research study or your participation in the study, before or after your informed consent, will be answered by Nicole Zotto, NZotto@my.gcu.edu, and 480.420.8838.

If you have questions about your rights as a subject/participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you can contact the Chair of the Human Subjects Institutional Review Board through the College of Doctoral Studies at IRB@gcu.edu; (602) 639-7804.

Informed Consent Form

Voluntary Consent