Welcome.  Thank you for looking into our study. Over the following Web pages, you will read a summary of a hypothetical legal case and then be asked to answer certain questions about what you read.

At the beginning of the next page, a message box will appear and tell you your random identification number.  You should write this number down.  If you experience any problems or receive any error messages while completing this survey, please email Kevin O'Neil at oneilk@fiu.edu immediately and report the content of the error message.  The identification number will help to identify and solve the error.

You must first read the consent form below.  If you consent to participate, answer the questions below the text and then click on the button at the very bottom of the page. If you click the button at the bottom and only return to this page, that probably is because you do not have cookies enabled on your computer.

Deciding Mental Retardation in Capital Cases:  The effects of procedure and evidence
IRB Approved 12/09/03
    #120503-00 (Original form on file)

 You are invited to participate in a study of mental retardation determinations in a capital trial.  We ask that you read this form and ask any questions you have before agreeing to participate in this study. 

 If you agree to be in this study, we would ask you to read a trial summary and complete a questionnaire that will assess your determination of mental retardation as well as your attitudes about the trial.  You will also be asked to provide some information about yourself such as your age, gender, race, and political affiliation.  The total time required to complete the experiment should be about 45 minutes.  You will be one of 300 participants in the study. 

 Participation in this study will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the legal system and research methods in social psychology.  Risks associated with participation are minimal. 

 Any information obtained in connection with this study will be strictly confidential.  In any written reports or publications, no one will be identified or identifiable and only group, not individual, data will be presented.  Research records will be kept in a locked location; only the researchers will have access to the records. 

 Your decision whether or not to participate is completely voluntary.  If you decide to participate, you are free to discontinue participation at any time without penalty.

 The researchers conducting this study are Meg Reardon and Lora Levett.  You may ask any questions you have now by email: mrear001@fiu.edu, or lora.levett@fiu.edu.  If you have questions later, you may contact the project director, Dr. Kevin O’Neil, at (305) 348-3687.  If you have any questions about human research subjects’ rights, please contact Dr. Bernard Gerstman, Chairperson of the Institutional Review Board at Florida International University at 305-348-3115. 

 Please print the form at this time if you would like a copy for your records. 

 You are making a decision whether or not to participate.  Your click on the submit button indicates that you have read the information provided above and have decided to participate.  You may withdraw at any time without prejudice after signing this form should you choose to discontinue participation in this study. 

Please answer the following questions before you begin.

A. With a 1 meaning "Strongly Oppose" and a 9 meaning "Strongly Support", what is your attitude toward the death penalty?

B.  Is your attitude toward the death penalty so strong that it would seriously affect you as a juror and interfere with your ability to perform your duties?

C.  Do you believe that the death penalty should be imposed in EVERY first degree murder case?

D.  Do you feel that the death penalty should NEVER be imposed?