Hi Susie,
Thank you so much for the response. I definitely am aware of the bad history between researchers and workers - so I am being extra cautious in my research. Here are specific details about my research:
Research Investigator: Supervisor:
Kassandra Landry, MA Student Dr. Jana Grekul
Department of Sociology, University of Alberta Department of Sociology, University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB Edmonton, AB
klandry1@ualberta.ca jgrekul@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-965-3009 Phone: 780-492-0477
Goals of the Research: Research in oil-rich economies and regions shows that the sex trade booms with the oil industry. However, the connection between these two industries has not been widely studied. I am interested in exploring the oil production culture and how this plays a role in oil industry workers purchasing sexual services. Therefore, to fulfill my program requirements towards completion of my Master’s Degree in Sociology at the University of Alberta, I am conducting a research project on the relationship between the sex trade and oil industry. I am looking for participants who are able to inform me about this relationship and the oil production culture.
Procedure: As a part of my research project, I am looking to interview sex workers. I think sex workers have a valuable perspective on my topic. Also, I’d like to note that my research is not for abolishment purposes, I truly just want to hear sex workers’ perspectives. With permission of participants, I will audio record the interviews and may also take some notes. The audio recordings will be typed up afterwards and used in my final research report. Only I and my supervisor, Dr. Grekul, will have access to the interview transcripts. Transcripts can be read and edited by participants if they wish, and copies of my final report will be available to my participants to read if they wish. If audio recording is declined, I will just take notes during the interviews. Interviews should be anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes in length. In-person or over the phone interviews are available. Participants may also read my final write-up if they wish.
Confidentiality: Participation will be anonymous. No real names be used in any research documents or discussions; every participant will be assigned a fake name that will be used in all research documents and discussions as soon as the interview is over. Identities will be protected to the best of my ability. This means no identifying information will be in any of the research documents or communication. All documents, including interview transcripts, will be kept in a locked filing cabinet and/or on a password protected computer.
Rights to Withdraw: Participation is completely voluntary and participants can provide written or verbal consent. Written consent forms outline the right to consent, to terminate, and to withdraw. Participants will have the right to stop the interview at any time, as well as indicate any comments that they would like to be “off the record,” meaning I will not include them in my final project. Participants will also have the right to withdraw from the study any or all portions of your contributions to the research project by a given timeline provided at the time the consent form is signed. The plan for this study has been reviewed for its adherence to ethical guidelines and approved by Research Ethics Board 1 at the University of Alberta. For questions regarding participant rights and ethical conduct of research, contact the Research Ethics Office at (780) 492-2615.
If you have questions or concerns about the interview or the research project, please ask me at the time of the interview, or contact myself, Kassandra Landry at (780) 965-3009 or at
klandry1@ualberta.ca, or my supervisor Dr. Jana Grekul at
jgrekul@ualberta.ca
