HSH 715 Qualitative Health Research: Consent Form and Statement

This assignment presents a Plain Language Statement and Consent Form template designed for student practice projects in qualitative health research, specifically for students enrolled in HSH 715/915 at Deakin University. The document includes detailed information about the research project's purpose, background, procedures, potential benefits and risks, privacy considerations, and ethical guidelines. It outlines the voluntary nature of participation, the right to withdraw, and contact information for the student researcher and unit chair. The consent form itself is provided, ensuring participants understand the project and agree to the conditions outlined in the Plain Language Statement. The template is designed to guide students in conducting ethical research, including data collection through interviews with fellow students, and emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and informed consent. The research focuses on the effect of nature on an individual's mental health, the document is a complete template that the student will use in their assignment.

HSH 715 /HSH 915: QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH. PLAIN LANGUAGE
STATEMENT AND CONSENT FORM TEMPLATE FOR STUDENT PRACTICE PROJECTS
IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

Please note this document is a modified version of the Deakin University plain language statement
and consent form template for non-clinical research projects
(http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/admin/research-integrity/human/forms.php).
As part of their studies in HSH715 / HSH 915, Qualitative Health Research, students carry out a
small practice qualitative research project in which interview participants are other students in their
class or Deakin University. Data are presented in the students’ assignments.
PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENT AND CONSENT FORM
TO: Research participants (other students in the researcher’s class HSH715/HSH 915 or
students in Deakin University
Plain Language Statement
Date : [Insert date]
Title : A qualitative Assessment on The effect of nature in an individual
mental health promotion in Australia
Student Researcher : [Insert your name]
Unit Chair: Dr. Liz Hoban
This Plain Language Statement and Consent Form is 4 pages long. Please make sure you have all the
pages.
1 Your Consent
You are invited to take part in this research project.
This Plain Language Statement contains detailed information about the research project. Its purpose is
to explain to you as openly and clearly as possible all the procedures involved in this project so that
you can make a fully informed decision whether you are going to participate.
Please read or listen to this Plain Language Statement carefully. Feel free to ask questions about any
information in the document. You may also wish to discuss the project with a relative or friend. Feel
free to do this.
Once you understand what the project is about and if you agree to take part in it, you will be asked to
indicate that you understand the information and that you give your consent to participate in the
research project.
2 Purpose and Background
The purpose of this project is this study is explore the effect of nature on mental wellness of Australian
population. This is a student project carried out by a student studying HSH715/915 Qualitative Health
Research at Deakin University working towards [indicate your degree e.g a Master of Public Health
degree]. Participants will be students in the researcher’s class HSH715 / HSH 915 or students
studying at Deakin University.
A total of 10 people will participate in this project.
Previous experience has shown that nature plays a crucial role on aspects for mental health by
improving the overall state of health and promoting wellness. This allows the affected person to be
Plain Language Statement & Consent Form to participants Page 1 of 4

alert and improve of the activities which are directed to positive wellbeing such as being happy, calm
and relaxed. Further studies conducted have shown that positive mental health state has an effect on
improving satisfaction levels by lowering the stats of boredom. Further it improves the thinking ability
of persons and enhancing the ability to cope the daily challenging events in a personal life. Further,
adding on this experience with nature has the ability to reducing anxiety and stress levels.
You are invited to participate in this research project because you are currently living in Australia and
you are my fellow university colleague. You were randomly selected from the student dashboard on
our university resource dashboard and hereby requested to participate in this research on nature and
mental health wellness.
The process and results of this research will be used to help [insert your name] to carry out their
assessment tasks for HSH715 / HSH 915- Qualitative Health Research at Deakin University.
3 Procedures
Participation in this project will involve a 20-25 minute personal recorded interview based on key
questions which are relevant to this study. In order to find time with you, a phone interview schedule
planning was undertaken and location of the interview was decided through an online telephone
requests. Thus the essence of this face to face interview was based on your consent to agree for this
interview.
4 Possible Benefits
Possible benefits of this study entails allowing more understanding on how students more so the
Australian population relates and connects with nature with an aim in improving mental health
promotion. Despite this we cannot guarantee or promise that you will receive any benefits from this
project.
5 Possible Risks
There are potential psychological risks in participating in this study to the level of sensitivity on some
of the questions in the survey schedule. These entail questions which may make you to feel a little bit
anxious, uneasy or uncomfortable such as those touching on your mental and spiritual health state. In
case some of these questions may affect you and do not to answer, please feel free no to answer them.
Further you can withdraw from the study at any point of the interview. As my role I will be able to
provide you online resources which you are able to access in case the process causes distress to you,
these resources can entail contacting a counsellor center at the University.
6 Privacy, Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information
The information being provides by will be kept with utmost confidentiality. Your information
provided during the interview process will be secured safely using the appropriate server on a
computer platform fully equipped with password protection and encryption process at the University
Unit Chair under the care of Dr. LizHozban
Any information obtained in connection with this project and that can identify you will remain
confidential. It will only be disclosed with your permission, subject to legal requirements. If you give
us your permission by consenting to be interviewed, I plan to use the de-identified data in
Assignments1 and 2 for HSH715 / HSH 915- Qualitative Health Research.
In any assignment for HSH715/HSH 915, information will be provided in such a way that you cannot
be identified.
Plain Language Statement & Consent Form to participants Page 2 of 4

7 Results of Project
The results of the study will be provides to you if you express the willingness to get to know more on
the findings. Upon conclusion and with your request, the results will be emailed to you upon
conclusion of the study.
8 Participation is Voluntary
Participation in any research project is voluntary. If you do not wish to take part you are not
obliged to. If you decide to take part and later change your mind, you are free to withdraw from the
project at any stage. Any information obtained from you to date will not be used and will be destroyed.
Your decision whether to take part or not to take part, or to take part and then withdraw, will not affect
your relationship with the student doing the research, other students in your class or your relationship
with Deakin University.
Before you make your decision, [insert your name] or the Unit Chair, Dr. Liz Hoban, is available to
answer any questions you have about the research project. You can ask for any information you want.
Consent to participante only after you have had a chance to ask your questions and have received
satisfactory answers.
If you decide to withdraw from this project, please notify [insert your name] or Dr. Liz Hoban.
9 Ethical Guidelines
This project will be carried out according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human
Research (2007) produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. This
statement has been developed to protect the interests of people who agree to participate in human
research studies.
The ethical aspects of this research project have been approved by the Unit Chair of HSH715/915, Dr.
Liz Hoban.
10 Complaints
If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any
questions about your rights as a research participant, then you may contact the Unit Chair for
HSH715/HSH 915, Dr Liz Hoban, in the first instance.
11 Reimbursement for your costs
You will not be paid for your participation in this project.
12 Further Information, Queries or Any Problems
If you require further information, wish to withdraw your participation or if you have any problems
concerning this project (for example, any side effects), you can contact the student researcher or the
Unit Chair for HSH715/HSH 915.
The student responsible for this project is:
[Your name]
HSH715/HSH 915 Unit Chair:
Dr Liz Hoban
BC3.205, School of Health and Social Development
Burwood Campus
Plain Language Statement & Consent Form to participants Page 3 of 4

HSH715/HSH 915: Qualitative health research
PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENT AND CONSENT FORM
TO: Participants
Consent Form
Date:
Full Project Title: A qualitative Assessment on The effect of nature in an individual mental health
promotion in Australia
I have read (or have had read to me) and I understand the attached Plain Language Statement.
I freely agree to participate in this project according to the conditions in the Plain Language Statement.
I have been given a copy of the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form to keep if I wish.
The student researcher has agreed not to reveal my identity and personal details, including where
information about this project is presented in any form.
Participant’s Name (printed) : PARTICIPANT TO GIVE VERBAL CONSENT ONLY
Plain Language Statement & Consent Form to participants Page 4 of 4