Thank you for thinking about taking part in my final year project, which will form the basis of my BSc (Hons) Psychology degree, here at UWE, Bristol, UK. Before you agree to take part, it is important that you understand what this study entails. Please take time to read through the following information. Do not hesitate to email me if there is anything that is not clear.

What does the study involve? What will I be required to do?
If you decide to take part in this study first you will be asked to complete a consent form and generate a unique user ID, which only you will know (and you can use to withdraw your data). Then you will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires about how you perceive your self and some selected other people. The survey will randomly choose some people for you to think about, but these may be parents, siblings, friends, colleagues or people in the media. You will be asked to think about what you think the person is like, how you perceive them and what you think they are like. You will notice the questions are similar for each target person, this is because we want to compare how people perceive different types of people.

What if I don't want to complete certain questions?
If you do not want to complete certain questions, feel free to leave these blank and move on to the next questions. Obviously the more you complete the more comprehensive data we will collect, but there is no obligation or requirement to complete the questions.

Can I withdraw?
Of course. You are free to withdraw at any time by closing your browser window. Alternatively, if you complete the questionnaires and then would like to withdraw your data you will need to email me with your unique ID number (which you will be asked to provide if you agree to take part). You can withdraw your data up to the time that the final data analysis is conducted and the project is written up (30th April 2010).

What will happen to my data?
All of the data which you provide for this study will be kept confidential, and kept on a password protected online survey and then downloaded to a password protected computer file. Your data will not be able to be identified with you, the only identifier will be the unique ID which you will generate. The project will be written up as part of my third year project for my BSc Psychology degree at UWE, however you will never be personally identified. 

What are the potential problems involved in taking part?
This study is very straightforward and does not involve a great risk of harm. However, the study does involve reflecting on yourself and thinking about others, which some people may find uncomfortable. If you do feel that this study brings up issues you would like to discuss further, please contact the researcher if you are a UWE student, or your GP. 

If you have any further questions about this study now or at a later date, please do not hesitate to contact me or my supervisor (details on the right).