APPENDIX B 

INFORMED CONSENT
 

TITLE OF STUDY
Online Water Consumer and Services System

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Rommel Ehem
BSIT-3 Student
Panugnawan, Medellin, Cebu
09186390208
[email protected]

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Anton Andrino
BSIT-3 Student
Caputatan Sur, Medellin, Cebu
09325071419
[email protected]

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dorothy Joy Lequigan
BSIT-3 Student
Poblacion, Medellin, Cebu
09677248204
[email protected]

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Marvin Lepatan
BSIT-3 Student
M.H. Del Pilar St., Bogo City, Cebu
09758180452
[email protected]

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Joshua Laurente Yap
BSIT-3 Student
Nailon, Bogo City, Cebu
09353755283
[email protected]
PURPOSE OF STUDY
You are being asked to take part in a research study. Before you
decide to participate in this study, it is important that you
understand why the research is being done and what it will involve.
Please read the following information carefully. Please ask the
researchers if there is anything that is not clear or if you need more
information.

The purpose of this study is to identify the problems regarding the

manual procedures of Water Consumer and Services System and to upgrade
this for better delivery of services. This study contains some
information that are related to respondents’ profile.  The information
obtained from the participants is a powerful tool for the researcher
to use in identifying areas of concern that relevant to the present
issues encountered during the gathering of data of the researchers.
Information regarding the data obtained from the participants would be
for research purposes only.

STUDY PROCEDURES
Permissions will be sought from the Water Services Admin and Staff to
conduct the study.  After the approval, distribution of informed
consent will be done prior to the collection of data from the
respondents. Also, such consideration will be performed to give time
for the respondents to make up their mind as to whether or not to
participate in the study.  Shortly after, the date and time of the
respondent’s availability will be set so that the process of data
collection may not affect their other commitments. 

On the set date, a short orientation about the study will be done.
Furthermore, they will be oriented that their participation in the
project will not be obligatory and that if they don’t feel like
participating, they are free to do so.  Besides, they will not be held
accountable to answer all the questions reflected in the researcher’s
guide nor were they compelled to do it for school-related gains.
Confidentiality of responses will also be stressed out.  Each
respondent will be handed with written consent form.  After filling
out, respondents will be asked to return the consent form after as it
would verify that the survey has been done.

RISKS
Participation in this study will have no anticipated risk to you.
Participation is voluntary, divulged information shall be taken with
utmost confidentiality. No identifier will be included on the
questionnaires. The whole research process will be thoroughly
explained. Absolute honesty in answering the questionnaires will be
solicited for and you are in no way coerced to participate. There are
no anticipated risks in your participation and you are free not to
answer the questions that you are not comfortable with. Questionnaires
will be answered voluntarily.

You may decline to answer any or all questions and you may terminate
your involvement at any time if you choose.

BENEFITS
There will be no direct benefit to you for your participation in this
study. However, we hope that the information obtained from this study
may be of great help to you as participant in such a way that this
provides an idea about the water consumer and services that
contribute to both water sevices admin and staff.

An alternative procedure will be made available for you according

to your preference or convenience in taking part in the study
whether to withhold certain information or to further provide
details that might be very helpful in the conduct of the study.

CONFIDENTIALITY
For the purposes of this research study, your comments will be
anonymous. Every effort will be made by the researchers to preserve
your confidentiality including the following: 
  Assigning code names/numbers for participants that will be used
on all research notes and documents
 Keeping notes, interview transcriptions, and any other
identifying participant information in a safe and secured place
in the personal possession of the researcher.

Participant data will be kept confidential except in cases where

the researcher is legally obligated to report specific issues.
These issues include, but may not be limited to, incidents of
abuse and suicide risk.

CONTACT INFORMATION 
If you have questions at any time about this study, or you experience
adverse effects as the result of participating in this study, you may
contact the researchers whose contact information is provided on the
first page. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research
participant, or if problems arise which you do not feel you can
discuss with the Primary Researcher.
 

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
Your participation in this study is voluntary. It is up to you to
decide whether or not to take part in this study. If you decide to
take part in this study, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
After you sign the consent form, you are still free to withdraw at any
time and without giving a reason. Withdrawing from this study will not
affect the relationship you have, if any, with the researchers. If you
withdraw from the study before data collection is completed, your data
will be returned to you or destroyed.

CONSENT
I have read and I understand the provided information and have had the
opportunity to ask questions. I understand that my participation is
voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving a
reason and without cost. I understand that I will be given a copy of
this consent form. I voluntarily agree to take part in this study. 
Participant’s Signature Date

Investigators’ Signature Date