Participant Information

You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide if you will participate, it is important for you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully.

What is the purpose of this study?

We are conducting research that aims to identify if the type of video game behaviour engaged in by different people has an effect on the relationship between personality and malevolent creativity. The study aims to identify factors that may predict creativity that is intended to cause harm to another. Although malevolent creativity does not necessarily indicate actual criminal behaviour, identifying such factors could contribute to government policy development and criminology research.

What will I be asked to do?

You will be asked to complete an online questionnaire. If you are at least 18 years of age and consent to participate in the study, you will be asked to provide basic demographic details including your age, gender and country of residence. You will then be asked to complete a series of psychological measures. They are self-reported and as such will ask you about your video game behaviour, personality and creativity. The questionnaire will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

What benefit will I gain from being involved in this research?

There are no direct benefits of participating in this research, however upon completion of the questionnaire you will be invited to enter a draw to win one of five $50 EFTPOS gift vouchers. Please note that gift vouchers will only be available for participants residing in Australia.

Are there any risks or discomforts involved with participation?

It is not anticipated that there are any risks to participating in this study beyond those encountered in everyday life. We advise you contact Lifeline for confidential counselling and crisis support services if required. Australian, US, UK and New Zealand contacts are provided at the conclusion of the survey.

Do I have to take part in this research?

Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may withdraw from the research at any time by exiting the questionnaire. You do not have to provide a reason or explanation why you wish to withdraw. The withdrawal will not affect your status now or in the future. Please note that any data collected up until the point of withdrawal may still be included in the research project. Please note that once you submit your answers, we are unable to remove your response as it will be impossible to identify your individual data. All responses will remain private and confidential and no information which could personally identify you will be published in any way, unless required by law.
What about my privacy and data storage?

The data collected in this study is completely anonymous and individual participants are unable to be identified. All information collected as part of the study will be retained for a minimum of five years. Data will be securely stored on a password-protected computer at UniSA and can only be accessed by the researchers listed on this information sheet. As the data will be collected through Survey Monkey, the United States government, under US privacy laws, has the right to access all information held in electronic databases. However, since data collected is anonymous, the US government will not be able to identify participants. Once data collection is complete and data exported, information will be deleted off the Survey Monkey platform.

How will I receive feedback?

If you would like to receive a summary of the results of the study, please email the researcher to request a copy of the final report. Due to the anonymity of data collection, individual feedback is not possible.

Researchers:

If you would like any further information concerning this project or if you have any problems which may be related to your involvement in the project, you can contact the researcher or research supervisors:

Ms Caitlin Waldie
Psychology Honours Student
UniSA Justice and Society
walcy031@mymail.unisa.edu.au

Professor David Cropley
Primary Supervisor
University of South Australia
UniSA STEM
david.cropley@unisa.edu.au
(+61) 883 023 301

Ms Michelle Oppert
Supervisor
University of South Australia
UniSA STEM
michelle.oppert@mymail.unisa.edu.au
(+61) 415 811 455

The ethical aspects of this research project have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of the University of South Australia as required by the Australian government research requirements, specified in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007 - updated 2018). This statement has been developed to protect the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.

If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any questions about being a research participant in general, please contact:

University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee
Ms Vicki Allen
(+61) 883 026 330
humanethics@unisa.edu.au

Question Title

* 1. I acknowledge that by selecting agree:
(1) I have read and understood the participation information sheet and I agree to take part in this research. 
(2) I understand that I will remain anonymous and my personal results will not be disclosed to anyone. 
(3) I am 18 years or older.

 
 7% of survey complete.