Participant Information Sheet
“Examining the experiences of physical activity in individuals with depressive symptoms following a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.”
Please read this information carefully
You are being invited to take part in a research study which will explore your experiences of being physically active since your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Before you decide whether or not to take part in the study, please take the time to read the following information carefully about why the research is being conducted and what it will involve. Please ask if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.
Purpose of the project:
The aim of this research is to gain an understanding of the experiences of physical activity for individuals who have experienced low mood or depression following a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Why have I been chosen?
You have been chosen to participate because you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus within the last 12 months, and you have stated that you have experienced low mood or depression following your diagnosis.
Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part you will be given this information sheet to keep and will be asked to give consent to take part before the interview starts. You can withdraw your participation at any time. If you do decide to withdraw you will not be treated any differently by the researcher, Coventry University or any health professionals involved in your care.
What will happen to me if I take part?
You will be asked to participate in one interview about your experiences of physical activity following your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The interview will consist of using a text based online instant messaging service. (Face to face interviews can be conducted at your request instead, for participants within a 10 mile radius of Coventry University) The transcription of the online interviews will be used so the views expressed by you may be quoted in the research report. However, no information can be traced back to you personally. All quotes will be anonymised, and an account for the instant messaging service will be set up by the researcher using no details that are identifiable to you.
What are the possible risks associated with this project?
There are no immediate risks associated with the project, but some of the topics discussed may be sensitive. You are not obliged to answer any questions that you do not wish to.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
There are no immediate benefits to yourself by participating, however your responses will provide information that may improve future practices for individuals experiencing depressive symptoms after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
What if things go wrong? Who to complain to:
It is unlikely that something will go wrong during the course of the research project. However, if you have any concerns or questions about any aspect of the study, you should contact the lead researcher (Joanne Parsons) who will do their best to answer your questions. (Contact details below)
Withdrawal Options:
If you remain unhappy and wish to withdraw from the study, please contact Joanne Parsons.
You are free to withdraw from the project at any time, up to 4 weeks after completing the interview.
There are no consequences to you for withdrawing, and you do not need to give a reason for your withdrawal. Your data will be destroyed and not included in any future reports. Should you wish to withdraw, please contact the lead researcher by email to parson43@uni.coventry.ac.uk quoting your participation number.
Data protection & confidentiality:
All information which is collected from you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. All data will be anonymised, and access will be restricted to the research team. All transcriptions and recordings of interviews will be saved electronically and password protected. All paperwork, including signed consent forms will be scanned in, and saved in the same place. Only the lead researcher and the dissertation supervisory team will have access to the information.
What will happen to the results of the study?
Your responses to the interview will be analysed, and then combined with other participant’s responses to create the final report. The write up will be submitted to Coventry University for the Dissertation element of the MSc Health Psychology course. The findings of the study may also be written up for publication in scientific journals or presented at scientific conferences. You will not be individually identified in any report or publication.
Who has reviewed this study?
This study has been reviewed and approved by Coventry University ethics committee.
Who do I contact for further information or advice?
If you need more information or have any questions about the project, please contact Joanne Parsons (contact details below).
Contact details:
Lead researcher: Joanne Parsons. Email; parson43@uni.coventry.ac.uk
