Research: Search by DI offspring (USA)

I am conducting research about the search experience of sperm donor offspring who search for information about their donor and/or genetic origins. 

Currently, there is little research available about the search experience of populations to which the search process is deeply meaningful and can have a lifelong impact. In addition, there is even less research available about the characteristics of a sperm donor offspring search for genetic information. It is expected that findings from this study will inform the information science community about the nature of deeply meaningful search as well as all individuals involved with donor insemination.
 
To qualify for the study, you must be a donor offspring in the United States who:
* is currently residing in the United States
* has conducted, or is currently conducting, a search for information about your donor and/or your genetic origins
* 18 years of age or older. 

If you volunteer for the study, I will correspond with you over email and ask you a few screening questions in order to obtain a representative sample.  If you move forward from there, I will send you more detailed information about the study and if you agree, we will schedule a time for the 60 minute phone interview; you will not incur any charges from calling me. With your permission, the interview will be audiorecorded. 

My goal is to interview 10-20 sperm donor offspring who have searched for information about their genetic origins and who have been searching for different lengths of time. 

Know that I am also a donor offspring and understand the sensitive nature of this information for some people.  I believe that what I learn from this research can assist other donor offspring as they search for information about their genetic heritage and/or their donor. 

As a thank you for participating, you will receive a $10 amazon.com giftcard.
 
At any time during the interview, you are free to not answer a question.  In addition, you may request that the audiorecording device be shut off at any time during the interview.
 
Your participation is confidential.  Every effort will be made to protect your privacy.  The only persons who will have access to the interview data are members of the research team.
 
If you are interested in being interviewed as a part of this research study, please contact me.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Amber Cushing
Doctoral Student
School of Information and Library Science
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill