You have shown interest in taking part in a research study. Your participation is voluntary which means you can choose whether or not to participate. Before you make a decision you will need to know the purpose of the study, the possible risks and benefits of being in the study and what you will have to do if you decide to participate.
If you do not understand what you are reading, do not agree to participate in this study. Please contact the researcher to explain anything you do not understand, including any language contained in this form. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to confirm this by selecting the appropriate option at the bottom of this page. Print out and keep a copy of this form—in it you will find contact information and answers to questions about the study.
Who is carrying out this research?
This research is being carried out by Ann Winsper, a PhD student at the University of Central Lancashire. It is being supervised by Dr Mike Eslea and Dr John Marsh.
What is the research study about?
The study will investigate what people report hearing when listening to sound clips where it is unclear what is being heard. It will look at connections between a number of different personality measures and characteristics and see if these affect what people report hearing. The questionnaires used in the study cover a broad range of topics, which include attitudes and belief in the paranormal and life after death, religion, loneliness, mood, drug use, and other possibly sensitive subjects. You should be aware that this study does focus on themes concerning the paranormal and life after death, and if you think this may upset you, you may not wish to participate.
Why have I been chosen?
Anyone over the age of 18, and with no known hearing impairment is potentially eligible to take part.
Do I have to take part?
You are not obliged to take part in this study. If you do take part you will be asked to confirm this by selecting the appropriate option at the bottom of the page. Your involvement is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time during the study by clicking on the Withdraw button which is at the bottom of each page - clicking on this button will take you to a debrief page which you should read, and will also indicate that you do NOT wish your responses to be included in the study. Once your data has been submitted by clicking on the Submit button at the end of the study, it will no longer be possible to withdraw your data. If you are a student at the University of Central Lancashire, participation in this study is purely voluntary and participation does not form part of your course requirements.
What do I have to do to take part?
The study will take place over a period of approximately 12 months, within that period you will be asked to complete two sets of questionnaires contained in this study, plus you will have the opportunity to attend the University of Central Lancashire if you are willing to do so to take part in some listening tasks - completing the questionnaires does not mean that you have to also attend the University.
The questionnaires will take approximately 15 minutes each to complete. Although the study consists of two questionnaire packs, you may choose to only complete one if you do not wish to complete both.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
The results of the study may help the researcher and the wider community in understanding the factors that influence people's perceptions of sounds. This may also aid understanding of how people sometimes misperceive sounds.