Empirical Project

Glasgow Caledonian University
Research Participation - Information Sheet (20/01/2014)

You are being invited to take part in a research project at Glasgow Caledonian University. Before you agree to take part it is important that you fully understand why the research is being carried out and what it will involve if you agree to participate. Please carefully read the information below and feel free to contact the researcher or supervising researcher if you need any further information. Please take your time to decide whether or not you would like to take part in this study.

Introduction to the Study
Based on psychological theory and previous research, the aim of this study is to find out more about motivation to exercise, how individuals feel about their body and the relationship this has with exercise habits and if there are differences between males and females. The researcher also aims to find out if exercise habits over the previous 5 weeks have an effect on an individual’s motivation and intention to exercise in the future. Previous psychological theory suggests that individuals are motivated to exercise in different ways. Some people are motivated to change the way they look or feel about their body and others are motivated because they enjoy exercise activities. Therefore, the researcher would like to test this theory and find out if an individual’s motivation to exercise has a significant relationship with how one feels about their body, previous exercise behaviour and future intention to exercise.
During the survey you will be asked about your motivations to exercise, your previous exercise behaviour, your intention to exercise in the future and you will also be asked to identify how you feel about your body. Your contribution in this study will allow for greater understanding in this area of research and will help to gain insight into patterns in behaviour and ultimately if these factors contribute into ones intentions to exercise in the future

Why is this study being carried out?
My name is Laura Jardine and I am an undergraduate student in my 4th year of study at Glasgow Caledonian University. I am carrying out this research to fulfil the requirements of my degree.

Why have you been chosen?
You have been asked to take part in this study because you are an undergraduate student from Glasgow Caledonian University and should be between the ages of 17 to 40 years old.

Do you have to take part?
You do not have to take part in the study but if you do agree to take part you can withdraw at any time by simply closing the webpage. After you have taken part you can also contact the researcher to withdraw your data if you wish to do so at a later date.

Is there anyone who can’t take part?
It is asked that if you are not between the ages of 17 and 40 years old that you do not take part in this study. If you have any questions and would like to know more about this exception then please contact the researcher or supervisor on the contact details below.
Both males and females between the ages of 17 and 40 years old from Glasgow Caledonian University can take part in the study.

What will happen if you agree to take part?
If you agree to take part in this study you will be asked to read a consent form and to confirm that you want to continue with the study based on the information that you have carefully read. You will be asked for your age, sex, the first 3 letters of your postcode and your year and month of birth. This information will be used as an identifier to ensure that participants are able to withdraw their data at a later date. Therefore, if you would like to withdraw your data you would be asked to contact the researcher with the first 3 letters of your postcode and your year and month of birth and the researcher would remove your information from the study. This information would remain confidential between you and the researcher.
If you agree to the points on the consent form and give consent to participate in the study by selecting the box provided you will then start to complete questionnaires that should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. After this you will be given further resources on the topics raised in the study from debriefing. You can withdraw your participation at any time by simply closing the webpage and you will not be asked for a reason for this and can also contact the researcher at a later date to withdraw your data from the study, as explained above. If you would like to complete the study but do not want to answer certain questions then please feel free to leave these questions black and continue with the survey.

What will happen to the information that you give?
The data that is collected from this study will be treated as confidential and will only be used by the researcher and supervising researcher. Your data will be stored using a numerical code (i.e. Participant 1) and your details will remain anonymous in any publication and will be stored until August 2014 and then will be destroyed. Your participation in this study will also contribute towards research in this area of study. The data will be analysed in a large database of information and your information will then only be used in a larger set of statistics in which the researcher will discuss and analyse.

Will you benefit from taking part in this study?
You may not benefit directly from taking part in this study as there is no reward but the research findings will help to enhance knowledge in the research field and the researcher will greatly appreciate your contribution.
Who is supervising this research?

My research supervisor is Dr Barbara Duncan. She will be happy to provide further information if required.
What to do now?

If you are happy to participate in this study then please continue with the online survey and remember that you can stop taking part at any time.
Thank you for your time.

Contact details
Laura Jardine / Dr Barbara Duncan
C/o Department of Psychology and Allied Health Sciences
School of Health and Life Sciences
Glasgow Caledonian University
G4 0BA

Email: [email protected]
[email protected]

CONSENT FORM

1. I confirm that I have read and understood the information sheet dated 20th January 2014 (Version 1) for the above study and have had the opportunity to ask questions and have had these answered satisfactorily.

2. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time without giving any reason.

3. I confirm that I have read and met any the exclusion criteria mentioned on the information sheet dated 20th January 2014.

4. I agree to take part in the above study.

5. I understand that the results from this study will be used for a level 4 undergraduate research project.

6. I understand that the results from this work may be published, however, it will not be possible to identify any participant from this as only gender, age, the first 3 letters of my postcode and year and month of birth will be required and no further information that may identify me.

Please tick the box to agree to the above information to give your consent to continue with your participation in the study.