Participant information sheets are normally organized along a list of questions (see below). Your answers to these questions should enable potential participants to make an informed decision about whether or not they are willing to take part in your study. Make sure that the participant information sheet is written for lay people!
How to use this template: Text printed in blue provides guidance on the kind of information that should be included. Please note that some statements (printed in black) must be included in all participant information sheets. Text in < > requires you to insert details applicable to your research.
Participant Information Sheet An invitation paragraph should explain that the individual is being asked to take part in a research study. The following is an example of how this may be phrased: You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully. Study Title: Use the title included in the ethics application form. Using a different title constitutes a form of deception that requires a rationale and explanation in the application form. What is the purpose of the study?
• The background and the aim of the study should be given here.
• State that the research is conducted as part of your insert name of the programme degree course at the University of Sunderland. Why have I been approached?
• You should explain how the individual was chosen to take part in the study and approximately how many other people will be asked to participate.
• Clearly state who is eligible to take part in the study. Do I have to take part?
• State that participation is entirely voluntary.
• Explain how consent will be obtained.
• State that participants may skip any questions they are not happy to answer. What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?
• Make clear that participants have the right to change their mind and withdraw from the study without giving a reason and without incurring any penalties. • Explain how participants can withdraw during the study (e.g., closing the web browser and – if applicable – withdrawal procedures after participation in the study.
• The following statement should always be included: All data collected up to the point of withdrawal will be immediately destroyed.
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What will happen to me if I take part?
• You should explain your methods of data collection, including what the individual will be asked to do, e.g., o Kind of questions that will be asked. o Kind of activity, participants will be asked to perform. o Where data collection will take place. o How much time will be involved. What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
• If applicable, state that you do not expect any disadvantages and risks of taking part. • If there are possible disadvantages and risks (beyond what individuals are used to experience in normal everyday life), you should clearly explain these and if applicable, provide after-study support information such as contact details of appropriate external organizations/charities. What are the possible benefits of taking part?
• If there are no direct benefits to participants you may include that participation will help to increase knowledge in the topic area.
• Reimbursement, remuneration, or participation credits should not be included as benefit of taking part in the study. What if something goes wrong?
• This section should include a statement about complaint procedures, such as If you are unhappy with the conduct of this study please contact my supervisor <insert name>), or the Chair of the University of Sunderland Research Ethics Group Dr John Fulton. Contact details are included below. How will my information be kept confidential?
• The following statement should always be included: All participant information will be treated in accordance with the terms of the Data Protection Act (2018). Add as appropriate:
• If data are completely anonymous: o All data will be completely anonymous so that they cannot be traced back to you. My supervisor and I will have access to the data. They will be kept on password-protected computers and deleted after <insert as agreed with your supervisor>.
• If some person identifying information will be collected (e.g., audio/video recordings, written consent forms) o Inform participants about what information will be held about them (see below), who will have access to it, where it will be kept (e.g., locked cabinet, password protected computer), for how long information will be kept, and about secure disposal arrangements. Note that you have to pseudo-anonymise participant responses or transcripts of audio/video recordings, i.e., using participant codes to store these data. The link between participant code and person identifying information should be kept in a secure place (e.g., locked cabinet or password protected computer) and deleted as soon as possible. All person identifying information should also be kept in a secure place.
• If applicable, you may include the following statement: Completely anonymised data from the project may be shared with other researchers and/or used for teaching purposes.
• The following statement should always be included: The data may be looked at by staff authorised by the University of Sunderland for audit and quality assurance purposes. What will happen to the results of this study? • You should state that
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o Results will be written up in my project report and presented at the Undergraduate Psychology Poster Conference. If suitable, results may be published in academic journals and/or presented at academic conferences. Who is organizing and funding the research? The research is organized by <insert researcher’s name>, who is a <insert name of your programme> student at the University of Sunderland, Faculty of Health Sciences and Well being, School of Psychology. This project is not externally funded. Who has reviewed the study? The study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Sunderland Research Ethics Group’s review system. Further information and contact details
• <Insert your name> Email: <Insert your University email address>
• <Insert name of your supervisor> (Research Supervisor) Email: <Insert your supervisor’s email address> Phone: 0191 515 <Insert your supervisor’s telephone extension>
• The following contact details should always be included: Dr John Fulton (Chair of the University of Sunderland Research Ethics Group)