Participant Information Sheet

You are being invited to take part in this research study. Before you decide it is important for you to read this information so you understand why the study is being carried out and what it will involve.

Reading this information, discussing it with others or asking any questions you might have will help you decide whether or not you would like to take part.

Who are the Researchers:
Emma Barkus, emma.barkus@northumbria.ac.uk
Ann-Katrin Kraeuter, ann-katrin.kraeuter@northumbria.ac.uk
and Ella Normington
What is the purpose of the study?
We are a group of researchers interested in relationship intimacy and a particular personality trait which may mean people are less interested in relationships with others. We also want to understand how people’s ability to hold information in mind relates to how they behave in relationships. So you will be asked to complete a task which is like a computer game.

Why have I been invited to take part?
We would like to hear from a wide variety of people. We would like people of all genders over the age of 18 years. You do not need to be in a current relationship, we would like to hear from everyone who is interested.

Do I have to take part?
You are under no obligation to take part and you will not experience any loss of benefit or penalty if you choose not to participate.

What will I have to do?
Please ensure you complete the study on a computer in a quiet place with no distractions. First, we will ask you some questions about yourself and your circumstances. Then, you will be presented with two questionnaires, the first measuring how interested you are in your relationships with others, and the second asking questions on relationship intimacy. After you have completed these questionnaires, you will be presented with computer-like game that measures your ability to hold information in mind. In total the survey will take approximately 15 minutes and the task 20 minutes, so we ask you to complete this somewhere quiet and distraction free.

If you feel upset while completing the survey due to the sensitivity of the topic, please close and return to this page or contact the researchers for links you may be able to approach for support.

What are the exclusion criteria (i.e. are there any reasons why I should not take part)?
You should not take part in this study if:
- You are under the age of 18, or
- Likely to become upset by questions related to intimate relationships.

What are the possible disadvantages/risks in taking part?
Due to the sensitivity of the sexual attitudes and lifestyles topic, some individuals may feel distressed. If this is the case, stop and follow any of the links provided for guidance:
- www.thesurvivorstrust.org – survivors of sexual abuse
- https://www.sexwise.org.uk/contact - sexual health support
- https://www.mind.org.uk – psychological support

Will my taking part be kept confidential and anonymous?
Yes. You will provide a unique participant code that will be used to identify any data that you provide. You will not provide your name and any other personal details.

Any electronic information will be stored on a password protected computer. This will be kept separate from any data and will be treated in accordance with GDPR.

How will my data be stored?
All data will be stored on password protected files within the university network.
What will happen to the results of the study?
The results might be presented at a conference or published in a journal, but they will always remain anonymous. All information and data gathered during this research will be stored in line with the Data Protection Act and in line with Open Data policies, deidentified data may be held indefinitely, but at no point will your personal information or data be revealed.

Who is funding the study?
The present research project has received no funding.

Who has reviewed the study?
This study and its protocol have received full ethical approval from Northumbria University College of Reviewers (2291). If you require confirmation of this, or if you have any concerns or worries concerning this research, or if you wish to register a complaint, please contact Nick Neave about your concerns on nick.neave@northumbria.ac.uk

How can I withdraw from the project?
During the study itself, you are free to stop your participation at any point by closing your browser and the research team will remove your answers. After you have completed the research, you can still withdraw your data by contacting one of the research team (their contact details are provided in the last section of the leaflet) within 2 weeks of participation and giving them your unique participant code that you will provide on the next page. After this date, it might not be possible to withdraw your individual data as the results might already have been published. Your individual data will not be identifiable in any way.

What happens if there is a problem?
If you are unhappy about anything during or after your participation, you should contact the researchers in the first instance. If you feel this is not appropriate, you should contact: Nick Neave who is the Chair of Ethics on nick.neave@northumbria.ac.uk

Contact for further information:
Researcher name and email:
Emma Barkus emma.barkus@northumbria.ac.uk
Ann-Katrin Kraeuter ann-katrin.kraeuter@northumbria.ac.uk
Ella Normington

Thank you for your time. Please take a screenshot for your records.
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