LPSY 311 Social Psychology: Participant Information Sheet Assignment

This document is a participant information sheet created by a student researcher at the University of Liverpool for their LPSY 311 Social Psychology assignment. The sheet outlines the details of a qualitative research study, including the purpose of the study, which involves interviewing participants about a contemporary social issue to gain skills in qualitative research. It explains participant selection criteria, emphasizing that participants must be over 18 and not members of vulnerable groups. The sheet details the voluntary nature of participation, the interview process (lasting approximately 20 minutes), and the confidentiality measures taken to protect participants' identities. It also addresses potential risks, benefits, and procedures for addressing concerns or complaints, including contact information for the student researcher and Dr. Francine Watkins. The sheet clarifies that the study findings will not be published or shared outside the classroom and outlines the process for withdrawing from the study. Participants are assured of insurance coverage and provided with contact information for further inquiries.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
Researcher: [student’s name]
University of Liverpool
[student´s telephone number]
[student´s email]
Date __________
1. Title of Study: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT FOR THE ONLINE MODULE LPSY
311: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY.
2. Invitation Paragraph
You are being invited to participate in a student research study.
Before you decide whether to participate, 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 and feel
free to ask us if you would like more information or if there is
anything that you do not understand. Please also feel free to discuss
this with your friends, relatives and GP if you wish. We would like to
stress that you do not have to accept this invitation and should only
agree to take part if you want to. Thank you for reading this.
3. What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of this study is for the student researcher to complete an
assignment for their postgraduate programme in Psychology. The
purpose of the assignment is gaining skills in qualitative research.
The student researcher will ask you some questions regarding a
contemporary social issue. The topic should be easy and comfortable
for you to talk about with the student researcher. This topic must not
be upsetting or uncomfortable for you in any way.
4. Why have I been chosen to take part?
You have been chosen to take part because you are a family member
or friend of the student researcher. You should be over 18 years of
age and you should not be a member of any of the following groups:
adults with learning disabilities, adults with dementia, prisoners, or
any other vulnerable or sensitive group. If you are unsure about
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whether you are a member of a vulnerable or sensitive group, please
discuss this with the student researcher, who may in turn consult with
Dr. Francine Watkins (see point 10 below).
5. Do I have to take part?
No, you do not have to take part and participation is voluntary. You
are free to withdraw at any time without explanation and without
incurring a disadvantage.
6. What will happen if I take part?
If you agree to take part, the student researcher will ask you some
questions related to their chosen topic. The interview will last
approximately 20 minutes. There are no right or wrong answers, the
student researcher is simply interested in finding out your views on
the topic. The student researcher will try to meet with you in a
location that is convenient for both of you and will also give you
privacy, for example in the student’s researcher’s home, your home
or in a quiet park outside, weather permitted.
7. Expenses/ Payments
There are no payments for taking part in this study and it is not
expected.
8. Are there any risks in taking part?
There are no anticipated risks. If you should experience any
discomfort or disadvantage as part of the research, you should make
this known to the student researcher immediately.
9. Are there any benefits in taking part?
Although you may find participating interesting, there are no direct
benefits in taking part.
10. What if I am unhappy or if there is a problem?
If you are unhappy, or if there is a problem, please feel free to let us
know by contacting Dr. Francine Watkins, PGT Lead Public Health &
Director of MPH Programmes and Faculty Academic Lead for Online
Programmes: [e-mail] and we will try to help. If you
remain unhappy or have a complaint which you feel you cannot come
to us with then you should contact the Research Governance Officer
on [phone] ([e-mail]) or email address
[e-mail]
When contacting the Research Governance Officer, please provide
details of the name or description of the study (so it can be
identified), the researcher(s) involved, and the details of the
complaint you wish to make.
11. Will my participation be kept confidential?
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Yes, your participation will be kept confidential. You cannot be
identified from the data or the report. The interview will be audio
recorded but your real name will not be used on this recording. This
audio recording is for the purposes of the analysis of the interview
and the student researcher’s learning of the research skills. The
recording of your interview will be deleted once the student has
successfully completed the module. Nothing that could identify you
will be used in the reports of this study. Anonymised direct quotations
from your interview may be used in the student’s assignment, in the
form of a report of the study, but your name will not be attached to
these quotations or anything else that could identify you.
12. What will happen to the results of the study?
The student will have to write a report of the study for the assignment
and this assignment will be submitted in the classroom for grading.
The assignment will be read by the module instructor and possibly
other faculty who double check the grading of the assignments. The
study findings will not be published or shared outside the classroom.
13. What will happen if I want to stop taking part?
You can withdraw at any time, without explanation. Results up to the
period of withdrawal may be used, if you are happy for this to be
done. Otherwise you may request that they are destroyed and no
further use is made of them.
14. Will my taking part be covered by an insurance scheme?
Participants taking part in a University of Liverpool ethically approved
study will have cover.
15. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
You can contact the student researcher or Dr. Francine Watkins, PGT
Lead Public Health & Director of MPH Programmes and Faculty
Academic Lead for Online Programmes: [e-mail].
Participant Information Sheet
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16.07.2017