Walgreens is a pharmacy retailer located in Charleston, IL that offers health, beauty, and convenience products. Their main competitor is CVS Pharmacy, which is also located in Charleston. Both retailers provide similar services and products. This analysis aims to increase Walgreens' profit by 5% in 6 months by targeting undergraduate students at Eastern Illinois University. A survey found that while Walgreens beats CVS on attributes like customer service and location, CVS has an advantage in prices. The analysis evaluates the retailers' marketing strategies using the behavior sequence model and identifies strengths and weaknesses in how they facilitate consumer behaviors. It recommends ways for Walgreens to improve, such as advertising on campus, offering student discounts, and selling EIU merchandise and
1. Walgreens vs CVS
FCS Consulting
Aja Crittenden
Shanice Edwards
Tenicha Hudson
Tashon Lawrence
Briawna McCall
Brandon Ross
2. Executive Summary
Walgreens is a local pharmacy retailer located at 411 W Lincoln Ave in Charleston, IL.
The pharmacy also offers a variety of convenient items such as: health and beauty aids,
prescriptions and photo services, plus mini market basics. Walgreens key competitor is CVS,
which is located at 501 W Lincoln Ave in Charleston, IL. CVS is the largest pharmacy chain
after Walgreens. Because both retailers provide the same products and services the purpose of
this analysis is to increase Walgreens profit by 5% in six months while targeting Eastern Illinois
University’s undergraduate students.
Walgreens is a successful business with many strengths and weaknesses. Key strengths
include informative ads, educated sales associates, on site photo development, and onsite
vaccinations. Although Walgreens is a successful business, there are some weaknesses. The lack
of advertising on Eastern’s campus is a weakness in information contact, while not representing
Eastern within the products sold is a weakness in product contact. In order to analyze the target
market, Eastern’s Undergraduate students, a brief survey was conducted to see their views on the
primary Walgreens and its competitor CVS. The results show that Walgreens beats its competitor
when it comes to great customer service, convenient location, great product quality, wide variety
of products, and a comfortable environment. CVS does have an advantage over Walgreens when
it comes to prices, because Walgreen’s prices are higher.
To better understand how our primary Walgreens and our secondary CVS analyzed
marketing strategies assess overt consumer behavior we used the behavior sequence model. The
first stage is information contact. Walgreens wins versus CVS, but some of Walgreen’s
weaknesses include lack of flyers, bulletin boards, ads in the DEN, ads in the campus special,
3. and no price check Kiosk. In the funds access behavior stage Walgreens and CVS are tied. They
both have similar strengths. Walgreens and CVS accept major credit card payments, gift cards,
checks, and their mobile apps perform transactions. However, they do have weaknesses as well.
Neither off a store charge card only rewards cards that accumulate points for later purchases. The
next stage is store contact behavior. Walgreens takes the win because they unlike CVS, offer
cigarettes, have larger displays, sell Hallmark brand cards, and are more organized. The fourth
stage is transaction behavior. Walgreens wins this stage as well because unlike the competition
they have four check-out locations. In the consumption behaviors stage Walgreens and CVS are
tied. They both share the same strengths, on-site vaccination, convenient items, and care
instructions on medicine. However, both of the stores lack convenient care, there are no
nurses/doctors on site to medicate patients. In the disposal behavior stage both businesses were
tied. They both offer reusable bags, a return policy, and trashcans. Neither have a recycling
program. The final stage is the communication behaviors stage where the companies tied again.
They both offer email lists, surveys on receipts and communicate on social media.
In order for Walgreens to increase their profit by 5% in six months, Walgreens should
advertise their business on EIU's campus, in the DEN and on campus flyers. Discounts for
students on certain days should be offered and incentives for the rewards program. Offering “go
panthers” propaganda and EIU paraphernalia could increase product contact. Walgreens should
also offer a small selection of alcohol to target the students. Walgreens should also stay open a
hour later, they can attract a later crowd and stay open later than the competition.
In conclusion, this consumer analysis has distinguished the strengths and weaknesses of both
pharmacies and identified how well they are doing compared to how well they could be doing
and how well they are doing versus the competition.
4. 1
Walgreens is a pharmacy retailer located at 411 W Lincoln Ave in Charleston, IL. The
retailer includes health, beauty, prescriptions, and photo services to consumers. Their key
competitor is CVS Pharmacy, which is located at 501 W Lincoln Ave in Charleston, IL. CVS is
the second largest pharmacy chain following behind Walgreens. Both retailers share similar
services and products. The purpose of this analysis is to increase Walgreens profit by 5% in 6
months or 10% in one year; targeting Eastern Illinois University undergraduate students.
5. 2
II. Consumer Analysis
Affect and Cognition
In order to analyze how target market Eastern Illinois University undergraduate students
view the primary (Walgreens) and the competition (CVS) FCS Consulting conducted a brief
survey (see attachment 1). Out of 60 responses we were able to note that Walgreens is doing
relatively well compared to how they could be doing (which would be scoring a 3 on the Multi-
Attribute Model Scale – see attachment 2) and relatively well compared to the competition. On
the multi-attribute model the sample average score ranged from -54 to 54. The sample average
attribute score for Walgreens is 27.10 and the sample average attribute score for CVS is 23.38
(see attachment 2). Compared to the scale both businesses are in sitting somewhere in the middle
meaning they aren’t doing that bad but there is a lot of room for improvement. The attributes
considered were, great customer service, low prices, convenient location, product quality, wide
variety of products, and comfortable atmosphere. The multi-attribute model is designed from
most important attribute to the least important. The most important attribute for the Eastern
students is great customer service, this attribute scored 2.67 out of 3. The primary Walgreens
received a score of 2.17 and CVS received a score of 1.72. Although only a .45 difference this
shows that Walgreens has pretty good customer service compared to how well they could be
doing and they are doing well relative to the competition. Although room for improvement,
customer service is something they have a pretty good handle on. Convenient location is also
pretty important. The attribute itself averaged 2.68 out of 3, while the primary received 2.35 and
the competition received 1.97. Neither have a terrible location, but Walgreens is more convenient
relative to the competition. It is important that a pharmacy offers great quality products. The
attribute received a score of 2.57, Walgreens received a score of 1.98 and CVS received 1.50.
Walgreens is still doing better than the competition in comparison of product quality but is not
6. 3
doing as well as they could be. Wide variety of products received a 2.50; this attribute is still
pretty important, but less important than location and product quality. Walgreens received a 1.92
in variety of products and 1.97 in comfortable atmosphere. CVS received a 1.60 in variety of
products and 1.48 in comfortable atmosphere. They both scored well estimating to a score of 2,
with Walgreens doing slightly better than the competition. Least important attribute was prices;
according to the survey the students do expect extremely low prices from Walgreens but not
CVS. The attribute scored 1.88 with Walgreens receiving a 1.95 and CVS ends with a 0.32.
Walgreens scored higher than the attribute score; this can be a strength they play up. It’s the least
important attribute but by utilizing new effective marketing tactics Walgreens can have the upper
hand. Although, Walgreens clearly beats out the competition (CVS), there are many things that
can be improved with their marketing strategy/tactics.
Behavior and Physical Environment
For both our primary (Walgreens) and secondary (CVS) businesses we used the behavior
sequence model to better analyze how each of their marketing strategies assess overt consumer
behavior. The behavior sequence model is made up of seven types of behaviors that a consumer
“flows” through beginning in the pre-purchase consumption stage all the way to the post-
purchase consumption stage (see attachment 4).
The first set of behaviors that a business look to increase is the information contact
behaviors; which are the behaviors of consumers that are necessary for them (consumers) to be
exposed to information about products, stores, and brands; either intentionally or accidentally.
Walgreens and CVS used several marketing tactics that facilitate information contact behaviors.
Similarly they both: use informative ads, present info on packages, they both have a search bar
on their company website, have ads on search pages (although Walgreens is first on Google,
7. 4
Bing, & Yahoo and CVS is second on only Yahoo), they both scan products using their
company’s mobile app, television and radio commercials, ads in the Sunday sales paper, an
email list informing new deals and products, and lastly they both have the option for customer
reviews on their websites. One thing that Walgreens has that CVS does not have is informative
marquees outside their physical location. On the other hand CVS has a kiosk inside their store
that doubles as a price check scanner and coupon center that allows you to print out your
personal coupons and rewards instantly. However, both sites hinder the flow of the consumer in
this set of behaviors by not putting up flyers or having a bulletin board that advertise their store,
products, and brands. They each also do not have coupons in EIU’s Campus Special coupon
book or ads in the Daily Eastern News (DEN) that are easily accessible by the students.
Walgreens does not have a kiosk center at their store site while CVS does not have marquees that
are informative at theirs. Additionally, CVS has only a high-mid-to-mid ad position on both
Google and Bing search sites.
The next stage is funds access behaviors. These are the behaviors of consumers that are
necessary for them to secure adequate funds to make purchases that makes it easier when it
comes to the transaction stage. Both businesses facilitate these behaviors by having an ATM
inside the store, store gift cards, both are located near a bank, accept major credit cards
(MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover), accept checks and gift cards, and they
each have a mobile app that performs transactions. On the downside, both Walgreens and CVS
hinder funds access behaviors by not providing store charge cards for the consumer.
The third set is store contact behaviors; behaviors of consumers that are necessary for
them to locate, travel to, and enter the store. Ways both Walgreen and CVS use marketing tactics
to facilitate these behaviors are by being located in a high traffic location and being near campus.
8. 5
Walgreens is located next to other stores which helps consumers drift from the nearby stores to
theirs. CVS is located next to County Market who does not sell hard liquor which is something
that CVS offers so consumers can leave County Market and drive next door to CVS to buy it.
Furthermore, EIU’s Panther Shuttle (a bus service for students without cars) passes by both
locations so students can get off and shop. Also, both businesses have two drive-thru lines, store
coupons, automatic doors, marquee signs, a photo center, ship to store option on their company
website, and a well-lit parking lot (Walgreens’ parking lot is more spacious and less chaotic
compared to CVS’s parking lot). Walgreens also has two entry ways (handicap accessible) going
into the store, a Redbox video kiosk right outside their building along with benches planted on
either side. While CVS lack these benefits the company is located in the Mattoon-Charleston
Yellow Pages unlike Walgreens. Also, because CVS sells alcohol, this attribute would fall under
this set because it drives students to the store because they know that it’s there. Ways that both
businesses hinder the flow of the consumer through this set is by not having late store hours;
both company’s store hours run from eight am until ten pm, or by not offering any student
discounts. Also, both sites have bathrooms located in the back of the store acting as sort of
inconvenience. Walgreens side entrance into the parking lot can be risky with Starbucks drive
thru right by the entrance; drivers sometimes come around the corner too fast and can cause a
collision. CVS has a small/tight parking lot that is difficult to maneuver around if there are too
many cars in the same area. CVS also has only one entrance into the store and even though it is
handicap accessible, it’s small and feels packed with the shopping carts, shopping baskets, and
the newspaper stand all in the same area. Although CVS has a photo area it is small and can be
easily overlooked. As mentioned before, CVS is located right next to County Market which can
act as a substitute because it offers more products and services.
9. 6
The next set of behaviors to follow is the product contact behaviors. These are behaviors
of consumers that are necessary for them to locate and examine the product. Some marketing
tactics that Walgreens and CVS use to facilitate product contact behaviors are by having wide
product assortment, sales ad/coupon booklet in front of the store as soon as you enter, aisle signs
(Walgreens signs are color coded by category and are bigger compared to CVS), and information
on products tags. They both have endcaps at the end of their aisles and checkout counters,
accessible display shelves with easy to read information tags, and some products they house have
coupons or free samples on them. Walgreens have large seasonal displays, they sell cigarettes,
and they offer Hallmark brand greeting cards. One major thing that CVS offers that caters to our
target market is alcohol. Ways that Walgreens hinder product contact behaviors is by not selling
alcohol, which as mentioned before is a major asset that can draw our target market into the
store. Ways that CVS hinder these set of behaviors is by having aisle signs that are small and not
easy to read, and opting to not sell cigarettes.
The fifth set of behaviors is those of consumers that are necessary for them to purchase the
product, otherwise known as transaction behaviors. Walgreens and CVS both use marketing
tactics to facilitate these behaviors such as: processing credit cards, gift cards, and checks
quickly, having visible registers near the entrance of the store, displaying products by register to
encourage impulse buying, having adequate counter space, using electronic scanners to scan
products, having more than one check out location (Walgreens has four – one in the front of the
store, one at the photo center, the pharmacy, and the beauty area. CVS has only two – one in the
front of the store and one at the pharmacy counter). Both businesses hinder transaction behaviors
by not offering self-checkout lanes and not having one-click shopping on their mobile app or
company website.
10. 7
Consumption behaviors are the next set of behaviors. These are necessary for consumers to
use up the product. Walgreens and CVS both use the same marketing tactics to facilitate these
behaviors by providing on-site vaccinations, flu-shots, convenient items such as candy bars and
magazines, and care instructions on all merchandise in the store. One way that both businesses
hinder the flow of the consumer through this set of behaviors is by not offering convenient care,
such as nurses and/or doctors on site to medicate consumers that come in for the pharmacy.
The sixth set of behaviors that follow is disposal behaviors – behaviors that are necessary for
consumers to discard the product. Some marketing tactics that both Walgreens and CV use to
maintain and increase these behaviors having reusable bags available for purchase, having a
return policy on all merchandised in store, and by having trashcans planted outside the entrance
of the store. Also, in the pharmacy center, both businesses have educated pharmacists who teach
consumers how to properly consume medicine and other related products. One way that each
business hinders disposal behaviors is by not having a recycling program such as bringing in old
plastic bags to be reused again or old prescription glasses to be remade and reused.
The last set of behaviors is communication behaviors, which are necessary for the consumers
to give and receive information about the brand to and from the company and each other. Ways
that Walgreens and CVS facilitate this set of behaviors is by having the company’s name on the
shopping bags which communicate business to consumer (B2C) and consumer to consumer
(C2C), TV ads/sales ads (B2C), having an email list (B2C), coupons (B2C/C2C), survey on
receipts (B2C), social media that has customer reviews/comments/questions for everyone that
visits can view (B2C/C2C). One way that both businesses hinder the flow of the consumer
through this set of behaviors is by not having comment boxes at their store site which can
communicate business to consumer.
11. 8
Social Environment
Culture
Both Walgreens and CVS are recognized for being a chain drugstore that offers a wide
variety of merchandise. Because both establishments have branded themselves as drugstores,
they have had to do extensive research to learn about the culture of what their target market
enjoys and find a culture that fits the firm’s brand. Because older adults may have more health
issues compared to someone younger, these consumers are like to go to the pharmacy to pick up
medicine. For example, there is an older crowd that shops in Walgreens in Charleston, IL; they
offer a 20 percent discount to senior citizens every last Tuesday of the month on select items.
This allows seniors to find prices at a discount price. Walgreens even has advertising signs in the
store stating that there will be a discount on the last Tuesday of every month. This is a marketing
tactic that has more than likely influenced the discount because the number of senior citizens that
shop in Walgreens. However, CVS does not offer this discount for seniors. FCS Consulting
believes that Walgreens has taken advantage of the content analysis measurement when
researching to find out what senior citizen consumers like in order to build a brand around their
culture. Another marketing strategy that has influenced Walgreens to create a better customer
experience for seniors is the assistance they offer seniors who have Medicare. Walgreens offers
many savings and benefits to Medicare insured consumers such as online prescriptions refills,
recommended immunizations, etc. (Medicare is insurance that is offered to people ages 65 and
older). Walgreens is aware that seniors are normally taking medicine or vitamins on a daily
12. 9
basis. So, the firm offers benefits for them in order to keep them coming back into the store.
Nevertheless, Walgreens and CVS offer their pharmacy services. Both establishments offer the
option of drive thru pick-ups. This creates convenience for all consumers. However, CVS does
not offer any benefits for consumers with certain insurance.
Subculture
CVS in Charleston, IL sells alcohol for a cheaper price. This is a good thing not only for
them, but also the young adults who attend college at EIU. College students are a subculture for
CVS because they are a group of people who share common cultural meanings. The alcohol at
CVS is fairly cheaper than any other establishment who sells alcohol. Most college students are
on a budget. Since CVS has cheaper alcohol, many students will go there for the prices. Both
Walgreens and CVS have coupons for makeup and beauty products. This is a tactic that attracts
women. There is a section in both stores just for beauty products that are targeted towards
women consumers. In addition, both businesses offer a broader range of products that includes
women of color and more individual brands; something that other businesses around Charleston
do not partake in. This influences women, more specifically EIU female undergraduates, to shop
because of the coupons, discounts, and wider assortment that are mentioned in their weekly ads
or daily in the store.
Reference Groups
Both Walgreens and CVS have reference groups. Family members are considered to be a part
of a reference group. They are more of a primary reference group because there is face-to-face
interaction between family members. Friends are reflected to be under the informal reference
group. There is no real structure with friends. Family and friends can also be a part of the
informational reference groups as well. They are more likely to give information about how a
13. 10
product works. Many consumers are more susceptible to listen to friends and family about
products and merchandise.
III. Summary of the Consumer Analysis
Walgreens as a successful business has many key strengths as well as weaknesses. After
a careful consumer analysis it is clear that prices are a bit high for target market Eastern Illinois
University (EIU) undergraduate students while not selling alcohol has been noted as a weakness.
Key strengths include informative ads, educated sales associates, accepting major credit cards
like MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover. Having a pharmacy that offers more
than one drive-thru and ship to store is convenient and is seen as a strength. Walgreens has a
wide assortment and offers on site vaccinations and on site photo development. Although the
strengths can’t be numbered, there are many weaknesses when it comes to the designated target
market. The lack of advertising on Eastern’s campus is a weakness in information contact, while
not representing EIU in the products sold is a weakness in product contact.
IV. Marketing proposal
There are a few key things that Walgreens (located at 501 W Lincoln Ave in Charleston,
IL) can tweak in order to increase their profit by 5% in six months.
Promotion
Advertising in the Campus Book Special (a coupon book advertising local deals and
coupons) and in The DEN (Daily Eastern News) would increase information contact for the
students. Both the DEN and the campus special are free and readily available to all students
around campus. There are also bulletin boards around Eastern's campus that are free of
Walgreens ads. Locating the highest trafficked areas and hanging flyers could inform students of
14. 11
current sales and daily deals. This would increase promotion and isn't costly. Most students get
their information on campus and from flyers that catch their eye. The campus book special is a
huge deal and about every student has one or two. Another major source of advertising is from
the students themselves. If Walgreens put more of an emphasis on appealing to EIU students,
then their brand will gain more power because students will spread the word amongst each other.
This can be done through discounts or special deal days for students, which will draw a bigger
crowd of students. If these students have a positive experience at Walgreens, then they will tell
their friends and sales will increase.
Price
From the consumer analysis it is clear that although Walgreens is convenient the prices
are still high for the market. Offering more competitive prices would increase store contact.
Allowing Eastern students a discount on specific days could also increase profit. The students
would be more likely to shop somewhere that offers them a small discount than anywhere else
and could possibly buy more. Walgreens offers a rewards card that allows customers to earn
points every time they shop in the store. Offering more of an incentive to get a rewards card in
every customer’s hands could increase the amount of repeat customers. Walgreens, in Charleston
specifically, could provide more incentive for college students to shop there if they place more of
an emphasis on discounts for college students. Considering that most students are not bringing in
a consistent income, compared to a regularly employed adult, their income is relatively low.
Therefore, they are looking for “a bang for their buck” and discounts would definitely be
appealing to this market. This can be done through more discounts on products they are more
likely to buy or even special “Panther” days where there is a discount for being a student at EIU.
This slight change could prove to be very beneficial for Walgreens.
15. 12
Product
Also, offering “go panthers” propaganda and EIU paraphernalia could increase product
contact. The university is a huge part of Charleston IL and if the students were targeted more a
lot of businesses could benefit and be more profitable. Offering EIU paraphernalia gives the
students another option. A lot of people in the Charleston area are supportive of EIU and offering
such products could be a source of revenue that was never available before. Implementing this
suggestion could very easily increase their sales. Versus the competition, Wal-Mart and CVS,
Walgreens does not offer alcohol. Charleston is a college town and a large portion of the
population is of drinking age. Offering a small selection of alcohol, such as beer, wine etc., with
strict regulation could be very helpful to their business with undergraduate students. The addition
of alcohol would help them to better compete with CVS, a major competitor of theirs, because
they are counteracting their advantage of providing alcohol.
Place
Walgreens is only open from 8am-10pm. For a college town 10pm is early and staying
open an extra hour will target the late night crowd. Most places in Charleston close at 10 and if
Walgreens stayed open a little later it could put them apart from the competition. There are
Walgreens in other places that are open 24 hours, which would definitely appeal to their target
market of undergrad students at EIU. College students tend to stay up longer and this increase in
availability would increase their sales possibly.
Conclusion
16. 13
In conclusion, this consumer analysis has distinguished the strengths and weaknesses of
both retailers, and identified how well they are doing compared to: 1) how well they could be
doing and 2) the competition.
17. 14
Attachment 1
Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
1. Are you an EIU undergraduate student?
YES NO
2. Have you ever been to Walgreens on 411 W. Lincoln Avenue in Charleston, IL?
YES NO
3. Have you ever been to CVS on 501 W. Lincoln Avenue in Charleston, IL?
YES NO
18. 15
4. Having a pharmacy that provides extremely great product quality is…
Very Bad Very Good
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
5. How likely is it that Walgreens provide extremely great product quality?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
6. How likely is it that CVS provide extremely great product quality?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
7. Having a pharmacy that offers exceptionally great customer service is…
Very Bad Very Good
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
8. How likely is it that Walgreens offers exceptionally great customer service?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
9. How likely is it that CVS offers exceptionally great customer service?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
10. Having a pharmacy that has unusually low prices is…
Very Bad Very Good
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
11. How likely is it that Walgreens has unusually low prices?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
19. 16
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
12. How likely is it that CVS has unusually low prices?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
13. Having a pharmacy that has a very wide variety of products is…
Very Bad Very Good
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
14. How likely is it that Walgreens has a very wide variety of products?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
15. How likely is it that CVS has a very wide variety of products?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
16. Having a pharmacy that offers an exceedingly comfortable atmosphere is…
Very Bad Very Good
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
17. How likely is it that Walgreens offers an exceedingly comfortable atmosphere?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
18. How likely is it that CVS offers an exceedingly comfortable atmosphere?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
20. 17
19. Having a pharmacy that has a surprisingly convenient location is…
Very Bad Very Good
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
20. How likely is it that Walgreens offers a surprisingly convenient location?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
21. How likely is that Walgreens offers a surprisingly convenient location?
Very Unlikely Very Likely
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
21. 18
Attachment 1
CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH
Walgreens vs. CVS
You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by FCS Consulting and Thomas
Costello, from the School of Business at Eastern Illinois University.
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Please ask questions about anything you do
not understand, before deciding whether or not to participate.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study is designed to examine your opinion about two local businesses.
PROCEDURES
If you volunteer to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete a brief, 5-minute
survey.
POTENTIAL RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS
There are no potential risks and discomforts that are associated with completing this survey.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO SUBJECTS AND/OR TO SOCIETY
The benefits associated with completing this survey is knowing you have helped a fellow Eastern
Illinois University undergraduate student.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and that can be identified with you
will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission or as required by law.
Confidentiality will be maintained by means of storing the surveys and the form in separate,
locked drawers and discarding all information when the project is complete at the end of the
semester.
PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL
22. 19
Participation in this research study is voluntary and not a requirement or a condition for being the
recipient of benefits or services from Eastern Illinois University or any other organization
sponsoring the research project. If you volunteer to be in this study, you may withdraw at any
time without consequences of any kind or loss of benefits or services to which you are otherwise
entitled.
There is no penalty if you withdraw from the study and you will not lose any benefits to which
you are otherwise entitled.
IDENTIFICATION OF INVESTIGATORS
If you have any questions or concerns about this research,please contact:
Shanice Edwards sledwards@eiu.edu
Thomas Costello tgcostello@eiu.edu
RIGHTS OF RESEARCH SUBJECTS
If you have any questions or concerns about the treatment of human participants in this study, you
may call or write:
Institutional Review
Board Eastern Illinois
University 600
Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
Telephone: (217) 581-8576
E-mail: eiuirb@www.eiu.edu
You will be given the opportunity to discuss any questions about your rights as a research subject
with a member of the IRB. The IRB is an independent committee composed of members of the
University community, as well as lay members of the community not connected with EIU. The
IRB has reviewed and approved this study.
I voluntarily agree to participate in this study. I understand that I am free to withdraw my consent
and discontinue my participation at any time. I have been given a copy of this form.
23. 20
________________________________________
Printed Name of Participant
________________________________________ _________________________
Signature of Participant Date
I, the undersigned, have defined and fully explained the investigation to the above subject.
________________________________________ ________________________
Signature of Investigator Date
2