INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH PROJECT –PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENT Project Title:
Using Academic and Social Integration to Predict Mental Health Outcomes and Help-Seeking Behaviour amongst University Students
Investigators:
• Mr Andrew Telley (DPsych Candidate, Discipline of Psychology, RMIT University) [email protected]
• Associate Professor Andrea Chester (Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Psychology, RMITUniversity) [email protected], 9925 3150
• Dr Keong Yap (Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Psychology, RMIT University) [email protected], 9925 6692
You are invited to participate in a research project being conducted by RMITUniversity. This information sheet describes the project in straightforward language, or ‘plain English’. Please read this sheet carefully and be confident that you understand its contents before deciding whether to participate. If you have any questions about the project, please ask one of the investigators.
Who is involved in this research project? Why is it being conducted?
This research project is being conducted by Andrew Telley, as part of a Doctor of Psychology degree, under the supervision of Associate Professor Andrea Chester and Dr Keong Yap. The purpose of the research is to investigate how students are feeling, how much they feel a part of university life, and how these factors might impact on their likelihood to seek help if they needed to. Doing so will better enable us to understand the ways students cope at university. The research project has been approved by the RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee.
Why have you been approached?
We are approaching students enrolled in a number of disciplines across the university in an effort to obtain a broad sample of the student population.
What is the project about? What are the questions being addressed?
Beginning university can be a stressful time, and may make some university students increasingly susceptible to mental health concerns. Perhaps more importantly, problems developed at this stage of life may become habitual throughout a person’s adult life. It is important therefore to understand and address these concerns before they become entrenched, however the literature indicates that students don't always take advantage of the resources available to them.
If I agree to participate, what will I be required to do?
If you agree to take part in this research you will complete the attached survey. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete and asks questions about how you are feeling, your university experience, help seeking behaviour, and resilience. You will be invited to participate in follow up research at the end of first semester and the end of second semester 2011.
What are the risks associated with participation?
Completing the survey does not present any perceived risks outside your normal day-to-day activities.
Individuals who are concerned about their mental health and wellbeing following completion of the survey can contact one of the research investigators, or alternatively, the RMIT Counselling Service (9925 4365 or
http://www.rmit.edu.au/counselling) or Lifeline (13 11 14).
What are the benefits associated with participation?
The aim of the project is to identify ways to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all students. Doing so will provide an environment where all students are provided the opportunity to reach their full academic potential.
What will happen to the information I provide?
All the information you provide will be treated confidentially. Only the investigators and research assistants will have access to the data. We have asked for your student number only so we can contact you via the RMIT email system regarding follow up surveys. All student numbers will be removed from the data to ensure your information remains confidential. Any information that you provide can be disclosed only if (1) it is to protect you or others from harm, (2) a court order is produced, or (3) you provide the researchers with written permission. Results will be disseminated via the Principal Investigator’s doctoral thesis and through publication in peer reviewed academic journals. Course coordinators will be provided summary data relevant to their course. Importantly, only group data will be reported so that individuals will not be identifiable in any publications. All data will be kept securely at RMIT for five years before being destroyed.
What are my rights as a participant?
Participation in the study is voluntary and you have the right to withdraw your participation at any time, without prejudice. Your consent to participate in the research will be assumed when you return a completed survey. You have the right to have any unprocessed data withdrawn and destroyed, provided it can be reliably identified and you have the right to have any questions answered at any time.
Who should I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions about any aspect of the study please feel free to contact Mr Andrew Telley
([email protected]), Associate Professor Andrea Chester (9925 3150 or
[email protected]), or Dr Keong Yap ([email protected] or 9925 6692).
Andrew Telley Andrea Chester Keong Yap
BApplSc (Psych) (Hons) PhD DPsych
Any complaints about your participation in this project may be directed to the Secretary, RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee, University Secretariat, RMIT, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, 3001. The telephone number is (03) 9925 1745.