RMIT

Dear fellow media consumer,


Thank you for your interest in our research project. This page describes the project in straightforward language, or ‘plain English’. Please read this carefully and be confident that you understand its content before deciding whether to participate. If you have any questions about the project, please ask one of the investigators.


Who is involved in this research project? Why is it being conducted?
The investigators are Hugh Macdonald, Dr Jenny Weight and Dr Marsha Berry. We work at RMIT University.
We are writing some papers about what is considered appropriate and inappropriate behaviour while consuming and making media.  It is a controversial topic, and most people have an opinion about it. We want to know what you do, and what you think about it.

The project has been approved by the RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee, ethics approval number HRESC-B-153-10/08. 

Are you an appropriate participant?
Virtually everyone in our society consumes media, and often that consumption impacts on the people around us. We therefore think that everyone will have an opinion on many of the questions we want to ask (if you don’t have an opinion, you don’t have to answer the question). You need to be at least 18 years old to participate.


If I agree to participate, what will I be required to do?
You will spend about ten minutes answering some questions about your opinions about media consumption at our survey website.


What are the risks or disadvantages associated with participation?
You will need to spend up to ten minutes doing the survey. You can cease to be involved at any time. No follow-up surveys are planned, and you do not need to give us any personal information, or be contactable. We just want your opinions.


What are the benefits associated with participation?
There is no direct benefit for you personally, however the survey results might reveal trends in media consumption behaviour, which will suggest design or ethical issues that our society should explore.


What will happen to the information I provide?
The data collected will be analysed for our project and the results may appear in publications. All data collected will remain confidential. The data will contain no personal information, unless you wish to supply your email, so that we can send you feedback at a later date about our findings.


What are my rights as a participant?
You have the right to cease participating at any time. If at the end of the survey you decide you don’t want your own data included, you can choose not to submit it. You may get sent a copy of the research finding if you wish (you will need to supply your email address).


Who does my survey response belong to?
The survey responses will belong to the researchers.


Whom should I contact if I have any questions?
Hugh Macdonald, School of Applied Communication, ph 9925 9970; email hugh.macdonald@rmit.edu.au

or


Jenny Weight, School of Applied Communication, ph 9925 3022; email Jenny.weight@rmit.edu.au


Who do I have recourse to, if I believe this project is improperly carried out?
Any complaints about your participation in this project may be directed to the Executive Officer, RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee, Research & Innovation, RMIT, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne 3001. The telephone number is (03) 9925 2251. Details of the complaints procedure are available from the above address.

 

 

If you agree with the following statements, please mark the checkbox next to each one to give your consent for participating in the survey to follow:

I have received a statement explaining the interview/questionnaire involved in this project Please make a selection.


I consent to participate in the above project, the particulars of which - including details of the interviews or questionnaires - have been explained to me. Please make a selection.

I authorise the investigator or his or her assistant to interview me or administer a questionnaire. Please make a selection.

I acknowledge that:

Having read the Plain Language Statement, I agree to the general purpose, methods and demands of the study. Please make a selection.

I have been informed that I am free to withdraw from the project at any time and to withdraw any unprocessed data previously supplied.

The project is for the purpose of research and/or teaching. It may not be of direct benefit to me. The privacy of the information I provide will be safeguarded.  The privacy of the personal information I provide will be safeguarded and only disclosed where I have consented to the disclosure or as required by law. If I participate in a focus group I understand that whilst all participants will be asked to keep the conversation confidential, the researcher cannot guarantee that other participants will do this. Please make a selection.

The security of the research data is assured during and after completion of the study.  The data collected during the study may be published. Please make a selection.

 

Any complaints about your participation in this project may be directed to the Executive Officer, RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee, Research & Innovation, RMIT, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, 3001.  Details of the complaints procedure are available at:http://www.rmit.edu.au/research/hrec_complaints