Ethical Approval

Ethical protocol guidelines outlined by the Code of Ethics and Conduct (BPS, 2009) and Guidelines for Ethical Practice in Psychological Research Online (BPS, 2007) were followed meticulously. Additionally, a detailed and comprehensive ethics form was submitted to the University of

Huddersfield’s School of Human and Health Sciences Research Ethics Panel (SREP) for approval.

With reference to the successful ethics application (see Appendix 1 – page 98) this form contained vital aspects such as a risk assessment, recruitment protocol, procedure, confidentiality, anonymity, informed consent and debriefing. Ethical approval was successfully gained, following a few minor amendments. The amendments called for the inclusion of an employer / institutional consent form, this aspect was included and a second ethics application received full ethical approval.

3.5.1. Information Sheet

Participants were given a comprehensive overview of the procedure for data collection; this overview highlighted the aims of the research as well as the expectations involving their participation.

Participants were informed that their participation would take the form of several email exchanges, with approximately 4 sets of 6 questions. These questions were to be completed in their own time, at their own pace and participants were notified that I was primarily interested in their thoughts,

experiences, opinions, attitudes and perceptions. Participants were also encouraged to give as much rich detail as possible.

Participants were encouraged to discuss their participation with their employer or institution (if applicable) and gain permission to participate in the study. They were also given a copy of the employer / institution information sheet to encourage this. However, participants were reminded that disclosure to their employer or institution was voluntary as the study aimed to gain support worker experiences only, and as such participants were advised that the names of their corresponding educational institutions would remain completely anonymous at all times. Additionally, I checked back with the participant after each set of questions to see if they were still happy to continue their

participation. This aimed to provide on-going consent and re-affirm their willingness to continue participation.

3.5.2. Informed Consent

Informed consent was gained by all participants, this occurred through the use of a detailed information sheet which included all aspects of the research process as well as the rights of each participant. All participants completed, signed and returned a consent form (see page 107).

Participants were reminded that they did not have to answer any question which they did not wish to, and that they had the option of withdrawing their participation at any stage either on or prior to the

given deadline. This deadline for participation withdrawal was given, shortly before the commencement of the thesis write-up.

3.5.3 Consent Form

The use of a consent form is a practical method used to gain participant consent during research studies. As all contact had taken place on an electronic basis with all participants, in keeping with fluidity; the consent form was also emailed and returned via the use of electronic methods.

Participants were asked to read, sign and return their completed consent form before the occurrence of any formal participation.

In accordance with the Code of Ethics and Conduct (BPS, 2009) and the Guidelines for Ethical Practice in Psychological Research Online (BPS, 2007) participants were notified of their rights to withdraw and remain anonymous at all times. Participants were also informed that their data would be cleansed of all identifying information and that their data would be stored on a password protected computer and locked in a safe place when not in use. Additionally, to ensure internet security all email exchanges would only take place on a secure server (indicated by the presence of ‘HTTPS’). Any data would only be discussed between the researcher and 3 members of the supervisory team, and to ensure anonymity all participants were allocated a unique code (e.g. USA01) for the duration of their participation. Participants were notified that their data would be presented in a thesis for

evaluation as part of a program of study (MRes - Master of Science by Research) as well as possibly presented in a presentation or academic journal.

3.5.4 Confidentiality

I endeavoured to ensure that participants’ rights to confidentiality were maintained throughout the duration of this study. This began at the beginning of the data collection process, where data was kept and stored in compliance with the requirements set forth by the University of Huddersfield.

Participants were consistently assured that their data would be treated as anonymous and

confidential at all times. In addition to these points, participants were assured that their data would only ever be discussed with the researcher and the supervision team – and that no personal or identifying data would be disclosed to any third party members.

3.5.5. Anonymity

In line with upholding the ethics of the study, participants were assured that their data would remain anonymous – and they would be assigned a unique code at the earliest possible point, thereby eliminating any identifying data. Additionally, data was cleansed of all identifying information such as names of schools, locations, and individuals. This assisted in protecting the identities of all

3.5.6. Debriefing and Safety Protocols

In the final stage of the email interviews, participants were emailed a debrief sheet, alongside sincere thanks for their cooperation. Participants were notified of their unique code, as well as the deadline date for participation withdrawal, and were advised to quote their unique code should they wish to withdraw their data from the study. Participants were also advised to contact the researcher should they have any questions relating to the study. Participants were made aware of support measures in their respective countries, and these support measures were clearly detailed in the Debrief sheet. In addition to participant safety, I was made aware of the equal importance of researcher safety. To ensure my own wellbeing, I made myself aware of various support services available at the University of Huddersfield should the need have arisen.