Example C Cover Letter

							Example C: Cover Letter

Dear Potential Participant:

We would like to invite you to participate in a study we are conducting of physically disabled persons
on the role of coping with barriers to physical activity. Very little is known about how people cope in
naturalistic settings and which types of coping are more effective in various settings.

The intent of this research project is (a) to investigate the relationship between how a person evaluates
a situation and the type of coping processes that are used to manage the situation, (b) to develop a
better measurement scale to assess how the physically disabled cope with threatening and/or
challenging events. To accomplish this goal, we would like to ask you to fill in a few questionnaires
concerning a recent barrier to physical activity, the emotions you experienced, and the way you
attempted to cope with the event. This will require approximately 30 minutes of your time.

There is a risk that some of the questions asked in this study will cause feelings of anger, discomfort or
distress. Should your participation in this study cause feelings of anger, discomfort or distress that is
overwhelming, please contact any of the individuals mentioned on the attached form. You may at any
time choose not to answer one or more of the questions asked in the questionnaires.

All information you provide will be shared only amongst researchers and be securely stored at
Lakehead University for seven years. However, the findings of this project will be made available to
you at your request upon the completion of the project. Your name, or any other identifying
information, will not be revealed in any published materials.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (807) 343-1234, or at
Jane.Smith@lakeheadu.ca. You may also contact Lakehead University’s Research Ethics Board at 343-
8283.

Thank you for your cooperation.

                                                      Sincerely,