Survey Design - Participant Information Sheets

The following is a good template for a functional participant information sheet:  (Your milage may vary) This follows the format in the ethics application docs.

Research Title: SOME TITLE HERE

My name is *Researcher Name* and I am conducting research, under the supervision of *Suerpvisor Name*, as part of the Honours year of the Bachelor of Psychology degree at Southern Cross University. My research project investigates the *very brief description*

What does this research involve?

*Description of the process from the participants point of view...* This questionnaire will include questions about your .... This questionnaires should take approximately 20 minutes so overall. All data collection can be done from any computer with internet access. What time of day you decide to complete the questionnaire is completely up to you.

Responsibilities of the Researcher

It is our responsibility as the researchers to provide you with sufficient information to understand the implications of participation in the research. Your participation in the study is voluntary. To ensure anonymity...... Demographic details, such as age and sex, will be linked to the data. We will keep data and consent forms securely in a Psychology Office at SCU for seven years, after which time they will be destroyed. On completion of participation in the study, we are happy to provide you with a summary of the results if you provide contact details. We are unable to provide information on individual scores or provide any clinical advice.

Responsibilities of the Participant

The measures used in the study require that participants have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing. Although there have been no reports of adverse reactions to the methods used in this project, if at any time you are bothered by the experience of recording your emotions or thinking about personality variables during the online component we are asking that you access support as you require. We will give you contact details for the SCU Counselling Service, but you may choose to contact your GP or other sources of support if necessary. As the tasks involved in this project require that you log on the internet, we are looking for participants who:

• have access to a computer
• are fluent in English
• are at least 18 years of age.

Possible Discomforts and Risks

This research is considered very low risk. It is possible that reflecting on your mood or personality may cause you concern. If you are distressed as a result of participating in this research, you are advised to contact a counsellor (e.g., SCU Counselling Service, (02) 6659 3263, or by email on counselling@scu.edu.au) or other forms of support of your choosing. You are welcome to discontinue your involvement at any time without any negative consequences.

Publication of Results of this Research

The findings of this research may be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals or presented at conferences. A complete account of the findings of this research will be available at the Southern Cross University Library at a later stage. No identifying information will be included as all participants will just be referred to by a number.

Informed Consent

Participation in this research is voluntary. Your agreement to participate will be assumed from your completion of the survey. You are free to withdraw your consent and participation from the study at any time. Your decision will be treated with respect, no questions will be asked and there will be no negative consequences associated with your withdrawal. All your data will be destroyed immediately.

Inquiries

Any questions you may have regarding this research can be directed to the researcher or research supervisor.
*Supervisor Name here*
Lecturer
Psychology
School of Health and Human Sciences
Southern Cross University,
Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450
Ph: *****
Email:*****


Student Researcher Details
*Researcher Name Here*
Psychology
Southern Cross University
Coffs Harbour Campus NSW 2450
Email: *****

This research has been approved by the Southern Cross University Human Research Ethics Committee. The approval number is: ******.

If you have concerns about the ethical conduct of the research, please write to:
The Ethics Complaints Officer, Southern Cross University
PO Box 157
Lismore
NSW 2480
email: ******

 Do you give Consent

By pressing the "Next" button, you consent to your data being used in this project. Remember you can withdraw at any time simply by closing the survey window.