Full Project Title: Subjective Wellbeing of Three Levels of Sporting Participation

Principal Researcher: Prof Bob Cummins

Student Researcher: Krystine Horfiniak

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Your Consent
You are invited to take part in this research project. This Plain Language Statement contains detailed information about the research project. The purpose is to explain to you as openly and clearly as possible all the procedures involved in this project so that you can make a fully informed decision whether you are going to participate.

Please read this Plain Language Statement carefully. Feel free to ask questions about any information in the document.  You may also wish to discuss the project with a relative or friend or your local health worker. Feel free to do this.

Once you understand what the project is about and if you agree to take part in it, you will be asked to complete the Consent Form. By completing the Consent Form, you indicate that you understand the information and that you give your consent to participate in the research project.

You may print a copy of the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form to keep as a record.


Purpose and Background
The purpose of this project is to explore the relationship between wellbeing and four levels of sporting participation. The research is being conducted as part of a PhD (Psychology) thesis.

A total of at least 1000 people will participate in this project.

Previous research has shown that not all levels of participation in sport are psychologically beneficial. The current study aims to further explore this finding by investigating how different levels of participation in sport impact on individuals’ psychological wellbeing.

This will be explored by measuring the subjective wellbeing of a range of individuals, from those who do not participate in any form of sport through to those who participate in sport professionally.

You are invited to participate in this research project because you are over 18 years of age and are willing to answer questions in regards to your experiences of participating or not participating in sport. This document has been forwarded to you by an organisation to which you belong on my behalf, and as such I retain no information regarding your address or other personal details.

The results of this research may be used to help researcher Krystine Horfiniak to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.

Procedures
Participation in this project will involve completion of a questionnaire, either online via the Deakin University server or in hard-copy format. The questionnaire will take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. The questionnaire involves items relating to personal wellbeing, affect, and personality, as well as some demographic items (though nothing that will allow you to be identified). You will be encouraged to complete all items on the questionnaire, though you may leave some items if you do not wish to respond to them. If you wish to participate you may complete the online questionnaire at any time, and upon completion you will be requested to click on a button to submit it to the researcher. If you wish to complete the hard-copy version of the questionnaire, you will be requested to submit it in a provided reply-paid envelope to the researcher upon completion.

Possible Benefits
Although the research findings have implications for the community as a whole, we cannot guarantee or promise that you will receive any direct personal benefits from this project.


Possible Risks
There are no foreseeable risks for participating in this study, as you will simply be required to complete questionnaire items that assess your personal feelings, opinions and beliefs. However, in the unlikely event that you experience any form of discomfort or distress through participating in this study, you may call Lifeline (24hr crisis line) 131 114. You may choose to withdraw from the study at any time prior to submitting the questionnaire without any effects occurring for you.


Privacy, Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information
You will be instructed not to write your name or any other identifying details on the questionnaire, so as to ensure strict anonymity and confidentiality. Only aggregated data will be reported in a thesis and by submitting the questionnaire you are agreeing to allow your results to be used to form aggregate data.

The information collected during the study will be stored in hard-copy and computer files in secure storage for a minimum of 7 years, in accordance with Deakin University guidelines. Following this period the hard-copy files will be destroyed and the computer files deleted. A report of the study may be submitted for publication to a psychological journal, however individual participants will not be identifiable in such a report as only aggregate data will be reported.


Results of Project
You are encouraged to contact the researcher at the completion of the study to be informed of the aggregate research findings. Aggregate results will be published in a thesis and it is anticipated that they will also form part of a publication in a psychology journal.


Participation is Voluntary
Participation in any research project is voluntary. If you do not wish to take part you are not obliged to. If you decide to take part and later change your mind, you are free to withdraw from the project at any stage before you submit your completed questionnaire. After you submit your questionnaire it will not be possible to withdraw from participation as there will be no way of identifying which questionnaire is yours.

Your decision whether to take part or not to take part, or to take part and then withdraw, will not affect yourrelationship with Deakin University or with the organisation through which you have been invited to participate.

Before you make your decision, a member of the research team will be available to answer any questions you have about the research project. You can ask for any information you want.  Sign the Consent Form only after you have had a chance to ask your questions and have received satisfactory answers.

If you decide to withdraw from this project, please do not submit your questionnaire.


Reimbursement for your costs
You will not be paid for your participation in this project.


Complaints
If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any questions about your rights as a research participant, then you may contact: 

The Manager, Office of Research Integrity, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood Victoria 3125, Telephone: 9251 7129, Facsimile: 9244 6581; research-ethics@deakin.edu.au

Please quote project number HEAG-H 104_2011.


Further Information, Queries or Any Problems
If you require further information, wish to withdraw your participation or if you have any problems concerning this project (for example, any side effects), you can contact the principal researcher Prof. Robert Cummins or the student researcher, Krystine Horfiniak. The researchers responsible for this project are:

Krystine Horfiniak (student researcher),
School of Psychology
Deakin University
221 Burwood Hwy,
Burwood, 3125.
Ph: 9251 7153

Professor Robert Cummins (principal researcher),
School of Psychology
Deakin University
221 Burwood Hwy,
Burwood, 3125.
Ph: 9244 6845.

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I have read, or have had read to me and I understand the attached Plain Language Statement.
I freely agree to participate in this project according to the conditions in the Plain Language Statement.
I have been given the opportunity to print the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form.
The researcher has agreed not to reveal my identity and personal details, including where information about this project is published, or presented in any public form.