Participant Information and Consent

Information Sheet for Student Survey for the Evaluation of Contextualised Resources in Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Invitation
As a student at Charles Sturt University, you are invited to participate in a survey for the evaluation of contextualised resources in veterinary and animal sciences. Participation in this study is voluntary, and you are not obliged to provide feedback. Please contact the researchers (details below) if you have questions about anything that you do not understand or would like to know more about.

This Participant Information Statement tells you about the research project. Before you decide whether or not you wish to participate in this study, it is important for you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it will involve. Please take the time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish.

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete a survey that asks about you experiences with the contextualised resources in your veterinary or animal science subject(s). The survey contains a range of questions, including some open-ended questions. You may write as much or as little as you like in these sections. You may also skip any questions you would not like to answer.

If at any time participating in this study causes you any distress and you feel like you need support, consider reaching out to friends or family or access one of the following support options:
· Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Line by phone (1300 572 516) or text (0480 087 002), available from 9am to 5 pm daily
· Charles Sturt University After-Hours Crisis Support Line by phone (1300 572 516) or text (0480 087 002), available weeknights (5 pm to 9 am) and 24/7 on weekends and public holidays
· Beyond Blue (1300 224636) can provide counselling and support for any issues that may arise during this research
· Lifeline (13 11 14) can also provide crisis support if required

What is the purpose of this study?
The focus of this research is to evaluate resources designed to improve flexibility and inclusivity for students in veterinary and animal science courses at Charles Sturt University. This study will explore students' experiences with these resources and examine how adaptive resources affect their learning and identify factors that influence student engagement with these resources.
Why have I been invited to participate in this study?
You have been invited to participate in this study as you were enrolled in a subject with recently implemented contextualised resources at Charles Sturt University.

Are there risks and benefits to me in taking part in this study?
We cannot guarantee that you will receive any benefit from participating in this study, however, it is not anticipated that there will be risks associated with participation in this study. The researchers will remove any identifying information from the responses you provide as soon as practical. Responses will be kept confidential by the researchers and will not be identifiable in reports produced from the research. Researchers cannot guarantee the confidentiality or anonymity of material transferred by email or the internet. However, the risk of information being obtained by others not part of the research team in this way is incredibly unlikely.

How is this study being paid for?
This project is funded by an internal Early Career Researcher grant awarded to Dr Sarah Teakel.

Will taking part in this study (or travelling to) cost me anything?
There will be no cost associated with your participation in this study.

What if I don't want to take part in this study?
Participation in this research is entirely your choice. Whether or not you decide to participate will not disadvantage you in any foreseeable way. Only those who give their informed consent will be included in the study.

What if I participate and want to withdraw later?
Participation in this research study is voluntary. Once started, you can end the survey at any time, by closing the browser. Any previous responses will be included in the analysis. If you submit a survey the research team will not be able to withdraw your responses as it is completely de-identified.

How will my confidentiality be protected?
The research team will collect information from the data collection survey. No identifying information is to be collected through the anonymous survey and there will be no way of identifying individual responses. Information collected or used will be stored as non-identifiable. Any potentially identifiable information collected by the researchers will be stored securely until it is de-identified. Data collected will only be used for the purpose of this research project.
What will happen to the information that I give you?
Individual participants will not be identified in any reports from the project. The aggregated data will be analysed and published in a university report, peer-review journals and at conferences. Please note that partial survey data will also be analysed as part of this study. This is due to the non-compulsory nature of the survey questions, allowing participants to answer only those questions they feel comfortable with. Additionally, sometimes it is not possible to include all survey responses in a single output due to the large volume of data collected. By including partial responses, we aim to capture a broader range of insights and ensure that all participant contributions are valued. Individual participant feedback will not be identified for publication purposes. The research conducted will not be for the purpose of obtaining a degree or other educational qualification.

What should I do if I want to discuss this study further before deciding?
If you would like further information, please contact:
Dr Sarah Teakel, Lecturer, Animal Anatomy and Physiology
School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University
0400600772
steakel@csu.edu.au
OR
Associate Professor Kelly Linden, Sub Dean Student Retention
Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Charles Sturt University
02 60519217
klinden@csu.edu.au

Who should I contact if I have concerns about the conduct of this study?
Charles Sturt University’s Human Research Ethics Committee has approved this project (Protocol number: H25084). If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the Committee through the Research Integrity Unit via the following contact details:

The Presiding Officer
Human Research Ethics Committee
Research Integrity Unit
Locked Bag 588
Wagga Wagga NSW 2678
Phone: (02) 6933 4213
Email: ethics@csu.edu.au
Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated thoroughly, and you will be informed of the outcome.

Conclusion
Thank you for considering participation in this research study. This information sheet is for you to keep.

Question Title

* 1. By consenting to participate in this study:
  • I agree to participate in the research project and give my consent freely.
  • I understand that the project will be conducted as described in the Participant Information Statement, a copy of which I have retained.
  • I understand that my personal information will remain confidential.

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