Plain Language Information Statement for Functional Analyzes of Campaign Management in Saralrozgar

Plain Language
Information Statement
Instructions for preparing the Plain Language Information Statement (PLIS):
The informed consent process requires researchers to disclose all information necessary that will allow
potential participants to make an informed decision about consent. This information is normally presented
to participants in a written form in a Plain Language Information Statement (PLIS).
The PLIS needs to be written and presented in a style and format appropriate to the age and educational
standard of the potential participants and, as its name suggests, it should be composed using ‘plain’ rather
than technical language. It can be useful to include headings and diagrams (especially when conveying
complex information), and it is sometimes appropriate to present the information in the form of a letter to
participants.
The PLIS should always be retained by the participant. Researchers may combine the PLIS and Consent
form into one document in instances when consent is to be implied by return of a survey, to maintain
anonymity of participants.
The PLIS should contain the following information, if relevant to your project:
 Identifying details of the Federation University (download the University PLIS Template)
 Identifying details of the School / Faculty in which the research is being conducted
 The title of the project
 The level and discipline of all researchers (e.g. 3rd year Bachelor of Nursing student)
 An invitation to participate
 Advise that if the sample size is small this may have implications for privacy/anonymity.
 A description in lay terms of the nature and purpose of the project
 Details of what will be involved in participation (e.g., telephone interview to take approximately 15
minutes; questionnaire to take approximately one hour to complete; travel to a specific place)
 Information on relevant researcher training or expertise in specific techniques
 Identification of any funding bodies and sponsors of the research
 Details of any remuneration or compensation offered to participants
 A statement to explain if the completion of a survey indicates implied consent to participate.
 A statement that participation is voluntary, that refusal to participate requires no explanation, that
participants are entitled to withdraw their consent to participate and discontinue participation at any
time, without consequence.
 Should (potential) consequences arise from withdrawal, participants must be clearly advised of
these before their consent to involvement is obtained
 Advise that if consent is withdrawn after data has been aggregated and processed it will not be
possible to withdraw non-identifiable data, although consent can still be withdrawn.
 A statement that participants are free to choose not to answer questions on the questionnaire or
during interview, without consequence.
CRICOS Provider No: 00103D V 1 2018

Plain Language
Information Statement
 An objective statement of any likely risks or discomforts AND contact details for Lifeline and other
support agencies as applicable to your type of research risk
 Methods of data collection, storage and dissemination, and an assurance that collected data will be
confidential and that no identifying information will be used in any publication arising from the
research
 A statement regarding any interview questions or questionnaire items which may be seen as
personal and private
 A statement that there will be an opportunity for participants to preview results and transcripts and
to withdraw or amend (if appropriate) any data during or at the end of the interview or any
unprocessed data previously supplied (this opportunity will not exist for participants where data has
been collected anonymously because data will not be able to be matched with specific individuals).
 A description of how and for how long data will be stored, and if, how and when specific items (e.g.,
audiotapes, videotapes, photographs) will be destroyed
 A description of how data confidentiality will be maintained, and who will have access to the data
 A statement that there is a possibility you or other researchers may wish to use the collected data in
future research projects. Use wording in the PLIS and consent forms like: 'Be aware that in
participating in this research, your de-identified data may be used to inform future research' rather
than '...only researchers named on this project will have access to this data...'
 Include a statement of what the research will be used for, how the results will be disseminated, and
to whom they will be made available
 A statement that disseminated results will not include information that identifies individual
participants (unless specific permission has been obtained)
 Advise that confidentiality of information offered is subject to legal limitations (e.g., subpoena,
freedom of information claim, or mandatory reporting in some professions).
 Information on the provision, availability and contact details for follow-up support
 An invitation to contact the researchers (provide FedUni email addresses only and FedUni phone
numbers whenever possible) if potential participants require any additional explanation of the
project
 A statement that if participants wish to make a complaint regarding the conduct of the research they
should direct these to the Ethics Officer for attention (this information is contained in the footer of
the PLIS template - no further info needs to be added).
PLEASE REMOVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ATTACHING YOUR PLIS TO YOUR
APPLICATION
See attached for PLIS template
CRICOS Provider No: 00103D V 1 2018