Hello IRB,

I would like to make some revisions to my IRB Application #x10-768.  My original application was determined exempt.  I believe the following adjustments would not affect the exempt status, as the modifications do not go against the original intent of the research: comparing descriptions of collegiate athletes.

EXPAND GROUP UNDER STUDY: Initially, I planned to study any “individual athlete on a team that participated in the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament” however I believe that unnecessarily limits my response pool.  I propose the revision to include “any individual athlete on a team that participated as a member of the NCAA.”  The list of NCAA teams and universities can be found here http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/divisionListing

EXPAND VENUE OF INTERVIEW:  Initially, I stated “in-person interviews will be held in a closed classroom.”  However, I believe that unnecessarily limits my interview venue options.  I propose the revision to include “held in a closed classroom or by phone.”  This will not conflict or otherwise alter the main elements of the prior classroom limitation in that the following elements will remain: privacy and confidentiality.

EXPAND SCOPE OF PUBLIC WEB SITES USED:  Initially, I planned to perform content analysis on the public web pages listed on my application.  Those web sites were public and presented by the university.  I believe this unnecessarily limits the content.  I propose the revision to include “any public web site with a description of the athlete.  Particularly, I will collect content from major news sources (NY Times, USA Today, campus newspapers online, Twitter, etc.).  These are public web sites and provide descriptions of athletes.  I will use content analysis on these web pages in the same manner as I will analyze the content on the universities’ web pages.”