Participant information statement
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which item belongs in a participant information statement?
2. A student writes: 'You must complete this survey.' Is this suitable for a participant information statement?
3. Which sentence best explains the right to withdraw?
4. Which sentence best describes the purpose and procedure?
5. Why should the statement include contact details of the researcher?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1Purpose: To find out how Year 11 students use phones at school. | AThe purpose statement tells participants why the study is being done and what the researcher wants to find out. | |
| 2Taking part is voluntary. You may withdraw at any time. | BContact: Ms Chen, jchen@school.vic.edu.au, 9555 0123 | |
| 3The procedure section tells participants what they will be asked to do and how long it will take. | CThis leaves out the purpose, the procedure, how data is used and stored, and the contact details, so participants cannot make an informed choice. | |
| 4Contact details let participants ask questions or raise concerns with the researcher. | DProcedure: You will complete a 10-minute online survey. | |
| 5You must complete the survey. There is no way to opt out. | EThe voluntary and right to withdraw statement tells participants they can say no or stop later without penalty. | |
| 6We will collect survey answers. Please sign below. | FThis removes the voluntary choice and the right to withdraw. A statement must say participation is voluntary and that participants can withdraw. |
C
Definitions
participant information statement
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
_______: To find out how teens use phones
PROCEDURE: You will do a 10 min survey
2.
PURPOSE: To find out how teens use phones
_________: You will do a 10 min survey
3.
Taking part is _________. You can say no.
Data is stored securely for 5 years.
4.
Taking part is voluntary.
You may ________ at any time.
5.
Data is stored securely and de-identified.
_______: Ms Ray, ray@school.vic.edu.au
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
Title: Sleep and School Marks
B
Purpose: link sleep to marks
C
Taking part is compulsory.
D
You may withdraw at any time.
Question 2
A
Participant Information
B
Researcher: Ms J. Tran
C
Contact: not available to you
Question 3
A
Study: Phone use at school
B
Purpose: compare phone use
C
You will: complete a survey
D
Data is posted publicly.
Question 4
A
Your rights
B
You cannot withdraw once done.
C
Your data is then deleted.
Question 5
A
Purpose: not stated
B
You will: answer 8 questions
C
Takes about 5 minutes.
Answer Key
Participant information statement
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — The purpose of the study and what participants will be asked to do
Q2
B — No, it should say taking part is voluntary
Q3
A — You can stop at any time without giving a reason or any penalty
Q4
A — This survey studies sleep habits. It has 10 questions and takes 5 minutes
Q5
A — So participants can ask questions or withdraw
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
Purpose: To find out how Year 11 students use phones at school. → The purpose statement tells participants why the study is being done and what the researcher wants to find out.
Q2
Taking part is voluntary. You may withdraw at any time. → The voluntary and right to withdraw statement tells participants they can say no or stop later without penalty.
Q3
The procedure section tells participants what they will be asked to do and how long it will take. → Procedure: You will complete a 10-minute online survey.
Q4
Contact details let participants ask questions or raise concerns with the researcher. → Contact: Ms Chen, jchen@school.vic.edu.au, 9555 0123
Q5
You must complete the survey. There is no way to opt out. → This removes the voluntary choice and the right to withdraw. A statement must say participation is voluntary and that participants can withdraw.
Q6
We will collect survey answers. Please sign below. → This leaves out the purpose, the procedure, how data is used and stored, and the contact details, so participants cannot make an informed choice.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
participant information statement — A document telling participants the study's purpose, what they will do, how data is used and stored, and that taking part is voluntary with a right to withdraw. It lists contact details.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
PURPOSE: To find out how teens use phones
PROCEDURE: You will do a 10 min surveyQ2
PURPOSE: To find out how teens use phones
PROCEDURE: You will do a 10 min surveyQ3
Taking part is voluntary. You can say no.
Data is stored securely for 5 years.Q4
Taking part is voluntary.
You may withdraw at any time.Q5
Data is stored securely and de-identified.
CONTACT: Ms Ray, ray@school.vic.edu.auSection E: Spot the Error
Q1
C — A participant information statement must say that taking part is voluntary, not compulsory. Line 3 should read 'Taking part is voluntary.'
Q2
C — The statement must give contact details so participants can ask questions or raise concerns. Line 3 should list the researcher's email, not say it is unavailable.
Q3
D — The statement must explain how data is used and stored. Data stored securely protects participants, so it should not be posted publicly. Line 4 should read 'Data is stored securely.'
Q4
B — Participants have a right to withdraw at any time. Line 2 should read 'You can withdraw at any time.'
Q5
A — The statement must tell participants the purpose of the study. Line 1 should state it, for example 'Purpose: study canteen sales'.