Participant Information Sheet
The University of Worcester engages in a wide range of research that seeks to provide a greater understanding of the world around us, contribute to improved human health and well-being, and provide answers to social, economic, and environmental problems.
My name is Jaidan, I’m an undergraduate student in my third year of Clinical Psychology studying at the University of Worcester.
I would like to invite you to take part in a research project which involves completing an anonymous online survey. Before you decide to take part it is important for you to understand why the research is being carried out and what it will involve.
What is the purpose of the research?
To improve the understanding of how social media use affects our Eudaimonic wellbeing: improving insight on how social media use affects our overall wellbeing and help us identify any negative effects that need to be addressed. Development of interventions: based on the findings of this research, interventions could be developed to promote online authenticity and Eudaimonic wellbeing. Increased awareness of the positivity bias: the research could raise awareness of the positivity bias on social media, helping users to better understand and navigate the space. Improving social media design: the insights from this research could inform the design of social media platforms to better promote authenticity and reduce the positivity bias. Finally, informed personal decision-making: the outcome of the research could help individuals make more informed decisions about how they use social media and how they present themselves online, promoting wellbeing.
Why have I been invited to take part?
You have received this invitation because I require both male and female participants over the age of 18 that post on social media at least once every 2 weeks.
What will happen if I agree to take part?
If you agree to take part you will be required to fill in an online survey consisting of three scales which will ask you questions about your levels of authenticity, well-being and positivity bias. This should take approximately 10 – 15 minutes.
If you agree to take part and you meet the criteria for the study (listed in the “why have I been invited to take part” section) please complete the anonymous survey.
An example of the type of questions asked is: “I believe I have discovered who I really am”
Do I have to take part?
No. It is up to you to decide whether or not you want to take part in this study. Please take your time before deciding If you wish to take part. You can withdraw from the study by closing the survey down without submitting your responses and your data will not be saved. If however, you want to withdraw your data after you have completed/returned the survey, you have one week to do so after completion, please access the Microsoft forms link and enter the unique code you made before taking part in the survey. (This is the first two letters of your surname and the last three digits of your phone number.)
The link to withdraw your data if you wish to do so will be provided at the end of the survey.
Before taking part you will be required to sign a consent form, if you do decide to take part, you will be asked at the start of the survey to agree to a number of statements to indicate that you are over 18 years old, have read and understood this information and agree to take part in the survey. By submitting the survey, you are providing consent for the data you have given to be used in the study.
What are the benefits for me in taking part?
By taking part you will be contributing to knowledge on a currently small area of research, Eudaimonic well-being and authenticity as well as participants completing the study via SONA receiving 1 credit.
Are there any risks for me if I take part?
As well-being is being explored in this research, it may be a sensitive topic for some, please refer to the example question given in the “what will happen if I agree to take part section”. Contact information for support if you are affected by the questions asked within the study can be found directly below and at the end of the study.
Researcher: Scaj1_20@uni.worc.ac.uk
Supervisor: b.morgan@worc.ac.uk
First point: 01905 54 2551/ www.worc.ac.uk/firstpoint
What will you do with my data?
The data you submit will be treated confidentially at all times. No identifiable information will be obtained during or as part of the study. Your answers will be completely anonymous.
The research is being carried out as part of an undergraduate project at the University of Worcester and the results will be presented in the form undergraduate dissertation which should be completed by no later than 28th April 2023. We may also submit all or part of this research for publication to academic and/or professional journals and present this research at conferences.
During the project, all data will be kept securely on a memory stick in a locked cabinet in line with the University’s Policy for the Effective Management of Research Data and its Information Security Policy. The data will be accessible to the researchers.
How long will you keep my data?
At the completion of the project, we will retain your data in the anonymised form that it was collected for 2 years. We will destroy all data relating to the project after those 2 years.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact me or my research project supervisor at:
Researcher: Scaj1_20@uni.worc.ac.uk
Supervisor: b.morgan@worc.ac.uk
Who has oversight of the research?
The research has been approved by the Research Ethics Panel for the University of Worcester Institute of Health and Ethics Committee in line with the University’s Research Ethics Policy.
The University is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and the University Data Protection Officer is Helen Johnstone. For more on the University's approach to Information Assurance and Security visit: https://www.worcester.ac.uk/informationassurance/index.html.
If you would like to speak to an independent person who is not a member of the research team, please contact the University of Worcester, using the following details:
Secretary to Research Ethics Panel for College of Business, Psychology and Sport
University of Worcester
Henwick Grove
Worcester WR2 6AJ
ethics@worc.ac.uk