The Zombie Phenomenon Consent Form You are being asked to participate in a research study about the presence

of the zombie in American popular culture. I am asking you to take part because you contacted me (via email, facebook, or phone) about participating in this study. Please read this form carefully and feel free to ask any questions before agreeing to take part in this study. What the study is about: The purpose of this study is to investigate the proliferation of the zombie in American popular culture during the past 11 years. You must be 18 years or older to participate in this study. What I will ask you to do: If you agree to participate in this study, I will conduct an interview with you. The interview will include questions about your age, location, the socioeconomic status of yourself and your parents, your ethnic and/or religious affliation(s), the extent of your interest in and engagement with zombie-related media (i.e. films, television shows, comic books, video games, festivals). The interview will take approximately half an hour to conduct. Risks and benefits: There is the risk that you may find some of the questions to be sensitive. Please be aware that you are not required to answer all of the questions asked. Any question you may find to be intrusive or inappropriate will be skipped over. There are no benefits to you, other than sharing your thoughts on zombies with a fellow zombie fan. Your answers will be confidential. The records of this study will be kept private. In any sort of report I make public I will not include any information that will make it possible to identify you. If I decide that I would like to quote one of your responses in my final paper, I will request your permission first and ensure that you are not addressed by name or any other personal information that would make it possible to identify you. If we interview via facebook, skype or email, please be aware that although it is unlikely that anyone will try to gain access to your email, you have the right to know that email transmissions are not private and therefore transmission of information through this form cannot be guaranteed to remain confidential. Taking part is voluntary: Taking part in this study is completely voluntary. You may skip any questions that you do not want to answer. If you decide to take part, you are free to withdraw at any time. If you have questions: The researcher conducting this study is Melissa Longiaru. Please ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you may contact Melissa Longiaru at ml899@bard.edu or at (505) 470-2894. You can also reach my supervising adviser Prof. Mario Bick at (845) 758-7217. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights as a subject in this study, you may contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at irb@bard.edu or access their website at http://inside.bard.edu/irb. You will be given a copy of this form for your records. Statement of Consent For interviews conducted in-person or on the phone:

I have read the above information, and have received answers to any questions I asked. I consent to take part in the study. Your Signature ___________________________________ Date _________________________ Your Name (printed) ____________________________________________________________

For interviews conducted online: By continuing with this interview, I affirm my consent to participant and I acknowledge that I am 18 years of age or older. This consent form will be kept by the researcher for at least three years beyond the end of the study and was approved by the IRB on [date].