Participant Information Statement

Please go to the bottom of the page after reading the participant information statement and click NEXT to complete the survey. Thank you.

(1)     What is this study about?         

Research conducted in the past 15 years has shown that vaccination with Gudair® substantially reduces mortalities but sheep in some flocks continue to shed Mycobacteria in their faeces and remain infectious. There is limited information about why the efficacy of Gudair® is different on different farms and what would happen if the program of annual lamb vaccination is discontinued. You are invited to take part in this exciting research to understand the reasons for this differential effectiveness of the Gudair® vaccine in different flocks and to understand the outcomes of cessation of annual lamb vaccinations.

You have been invited to participate in this study because you are a sheep producer. This Participant Information Statement provides you information about this research. Knowing what is involved will help you decide if you want to take part in the research. Please read this sheet carefully and ask questions about anything that you don’t understand or want to know more about.

Participation in this study is voluntary. By giving your consent to take part in this study you are telling us that you:

·         Understand what you have read.
·         Agree to take part in the research as outlined below.
·         Agree to the use of your personal information as described.
·         You will be given a copy of this Participant Information Statement to keep.

(2)     Who is running the study?

The study is being carried out by the following researchers:
A/Professor Navneet Dhand, Associate Professor in Veterinary Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Sydney
Dr Kumudika de Silva, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Sydney
Dr Auriol Purdie, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Sydney
Dr Karren Plain, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Sydney
Dr Kathrin Schemann, Research Fellow, The University of Sydney

In addition, the following students may be involved in conducting some components of the project:
Clare Louise Young
Esteban Martinez

The researchers declare no conflict of interest in this project. Neither the researchers nor any individual or institutions will benefit financially from the outcome of this project.

(3)     What does the study involve?

Please complete this survey. This will provide us with some basic information about vaccine usage and allow us to determine your eligibility for the study. We will contact you again if you are eligible to participate in the next phase of the study.

(4)     How much time will the study take?
The questionnaire is very simple and should take less than 5 min to complete.

(5)     Who can take part in the study?         

Any sheep producer in Australia can participate in this first phase of the study.
 
6)      Do I have to be in the study? Can I withdraw from the study once I have started?

Being in this study is completely voluntary. If you decide to take part in the study and then change your mind later, you are free to withdraw at any time. This will not affect your current or future relationship with the researchers or anyone else at the University of Sydney. Your completion of the questionnaire is an indication of your consent to participate in the study. If you withdraw from the study, your data will be destroyed by shredding/deleting.

(7) Are there any risks or costs associated with being in the study?

Aside from giving up your time, we do not expect that there will be any risks or costs associated with taking part in this study. 

(8) Are there any benefits associated with being in the study?

We cannot guarantee that you will receive any direct benefits from being in the study. We value your experience and appreciate your time for sharing those experiences with us. All participants who complete this short survey will go in a draw to win one of the ten $50 gift vouchers. 

(9) What will happen to information about me that is collected during the study?      

By providing your consent, you are agreeing to us collecting personal information for the purpose of this study. Your information will only be used for the purpose outlined in this Participant Information Statement, unless you consent otherwise.

Your information will be stored securely and your information will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law. This information will be coded before data entry and analysis. Study findings may be published but you will not be individually identifiable in these publications. The results will be presented in scientific conferences and published in peer reviewed journals. 

The information and the questionnaires kept confidently during the study period will be accessible only to the investigators. Following the research period, the questionnaires will be stored safely by the principal investigator for an additional five years. Afterwards, the documents will be destroyed by shredding and the information stored in the hard drive will be erased using commercial software. The data may be used in a future project but will not be provided to third parties.

 (10) Can I tell other people about the study?

    Yes, you are welcome to tell other sheep producers about the study.

 (11) What if I require further information?

When you have read this information, Dr Jeff Eppleston will be available to discuss it with you further and answer any questions you may have. If you would like to know more at any stage during the study, please feel free to contact him on 0429 652 888 or A/Professor Navneet Dhand on 02 9351 1669, or email: navneet.dhand@sydney.edu.au.

 (12) Will I be told the results of the study?

 You have a right to receive the overall results of this study. The results will be sent to you in the form of a one page lay summary after the completion of the study via email or post.

 (13)   What if I have a complaint or any concerns about the study?

 Research involving humans in Australia is reviewed by an independent group of people called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the HREC of the University of Sydney. As part of this process, we have agreed to carry out the study according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). This statement has been developed to protect people who agree to take part in research studies.

 If you are concerned about the way this study is being conducted or you wish to make a complaint to someone independent from the study, please contact the University of Sydney using the details outlined below:

  The Manager, Ethics Administration, University of Sydney:
                   Telephone: +61 2 8627 8176
                   Email: ro.humanethics@sydney.edu.au
                   Fax: +61 2 8627 8177 (Facsimile)

             Please quote the study title and protocol number.

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