The personal data that will be collected and processed in this study are age, sex, ethnicity, and questionnaire responses regarding vulvodynia symptoms/experiences. The University asserts that it lawful for it to process your personal data in this project as the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller. The University of Stirling is the data controller for the personal and/or special categories of personal data processed in this project.
If you wish to complain about the use of your information, please contact the University’s Data Protection Officer in the first instance (email: dataprotection@stir.ac.uk).
You can find more information about the ways that personal data is used at the University at: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/professional-services/student-academic-and-corporate-services/policy-and-planning/legal-compliance/data-protectiongdpr/.
5. Recorded media
Participants’ responses in the focus group will be recorded and transcribed for analysis purposes via Microsoft Teams. Both audio and video will be recorded, and participants are free to keep their cameras off if they prefer. Only the researcher and the supervisor will have access to the recordings. Recordings will be transcribed verbatim to facilitate the analysis process. Potentially identifying information (e.g., names) will be changed so that no individual can be identified from the transcripts. All recordings will be destroyed after transcription.
6. Will the research be published?
Results of the research will be written up and published in a peer-reviewed open-access journal article, which will include a lay summary of the research findings. The research will also be presented at academic conferences. Findings will be shared with the public through, for example, blogs, webinars, social media posts, etc. The public dissemination strategy will be informed by stakeholders, in particular people with vulvodynia, so that those affected by the condition will be reached. A more general dissemination campaign will also be implemented to help raise awareness of vulvodynia among the general public.
7. Who has reviewed this research project?
The ethical approaches of this project have been approved via The University of Stirling General University Ethics Panel.
Who do I contact if I have concerns about this study or I wish to complain?
If you would like to know more about the study or its results, please contact the research team:
Lead Researcher:
Athina Zoi Lountzi – athina.zoi.lountzi@stir.ac.uk
Research supervisors:
Dr Hannah Durand – hannah.durand@stir.ac.uk
Dr Purva Abhyankar – purva.abhyankar@stir.ac.uk
If you would like to contact someone not directly involved in conducting the research, you can contact Professor Paul Dudchenko, Head, Division of Psychology, University of Stirling: p.a.dudchenko@stir.ac.uk
If you are concerned about your wellbeing, we advise you to contact your GP or a support helpline such as Samaritans (Telephone: 116 123), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alternatively, you can reach out to Breathing Space (Telephone: 0800 83 85 87), which operates 24 hours on weekends from Friday 6pm to Monday 6am and from 6pm to 2am on weekdays.
You may also benefit from some of the resources provided by the Vulval Pain Society (https://vulvalpainsociety.org/) and the Pelvic Pain Support Network (https://www.pelvicpain.org.uk/).