Participant information sheet
For further information about how Lancaster University processes personal data for research purposes and your data rights please visit our webpage: www.lancaster.ac.uk/research/data-protection
For further information about how Lancaster University processes personal data for research
purposes and your data rights please visit our webpage:
http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/research/data
–
protection
For further information about how Lancaster University processes personal data for research
purposes and your data rights please visit our webpage:
http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/research/data
–
protection
We are a group of researchers in Lancaster Environment Centre at Lancaster University and we would like to invite you to take part in a research study about the use of open spaces in Lancaster-Morecambe and how they benefit health and well-being.
Please take time to read the following information carefully before you decide whether or not you wish to take part.
What is the study about?
This study aims to investigate people’s favourite type, use and interactions with publicly accessible open spaces. We want to find out how spending time in outdoor environments of different kinds and for different purposes affect mood and well-being, and whether we can design similar places to enable more people to use them.
Why have I been invited?
We have approached you because we are trying to understand which open spaces in Lancaster-Morecambe are most popular and why.
I would be very grateful if you would agree to take part in this study.
What will I be asked to do if I take part?
If you decided to take part, this would involve the following: type here a brief explanation of the procedure/data collection methods, be as clear as possible about what you ask participants to do. Add details on any data collection methods you would like people to take part in, so tell them about interviews, focus groups, or observations you are planning, what they will cover, where they will take place and how long participants will be spending on these activities.
What are the possible benefits from taking part?
Taking part in this study will allow you to share your experiences of using open space in Lancaster-Morecambe and contribute to our understanding of why time spent outdoors is beneficial.
Do I have to take part?
No. It’s completely up to you to decide whether or not you take part. Your participation is voluntary and you are free to withdraw at any time, without giving any reason.
What if I change my mind?
As explained above, you are free to withdraw at any time and to ask that we extract any data you contributed to the study and destroy it. Data means the information, views, ideas, etc. that you and other participants will have shared with us. However, this will have been collected anonymously and pooled together with other people’s data and it may be difficult or even impossible to take out data from one specific participant. Therefore, you can only withdraw up to 6 weeks after taking part in the study.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
We do not foresee any disadvantages or risks involved in participating in this anonymous on-line survey. Taking part will mean investing 10-15 minutes to complete the questionnaire.
Will my data be identifiable?
Only the researchers conducting this study will have access to the data you share with us. The data will be collected anonymously and all personal information about you (e.g. your postcode, age and other information about you that can identify you) will be kept confidential, that is we will not share it with others. All reasonable steps will be taken to protect the anonymity of the participants involved in this project.
How will my data be stored?
Your data will be stored in encrypted files (that is no-one other than the researchers will be able to access them) and on password-protected computers.
We will store hard copies of any data securely in locked cabinets in my office.
We will keep data that may be able to identify you separately from non-personal information (e.g. your views on a specific topic).
In accordance with University guidelines, we will keep the data securely for a minimum of ten years.
How will we use the information you have shared with us and what will happen to the results of the research study?
We will use the data you have shared with us only in the following ways:
We will use it for academic purposes only. This may include writing a journal article explaining our findings or using the insights we have gained to apply for funding to follow up on this study. We may also present the results of my study at academic conferences and to policy-makers and health organisations.
When writing up the findings from this study, we would like to reproduce some of the data you shared with us. When doing so, we will only use anonymised quotes and data so that you cannot be identified in our publications.
Who has reviewed the project?
This study has been reviewed and approved by the Faculty of Science and Technology Research Ethics Committee.
What if I have a question or concern?
If you have any queries or if you are unhappy with anything that happens concerning your participation in the study, please contact myself:
Dr Kirsti Ashworth
Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Ave, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YQ
If you have any concerns or complaints that you wish to discuss with a person who is not directly involved in the research, you can also contact:
Prof Phil Barker
Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Ave, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YQ