MSD MINOR THESIS ETHICS APPLICATION

Student Name: Student ID: Supervisor Name (Responsible Researcher): Course: Master of Project title: Project Ethics ID:

INSTRUCTIONS- Complete this application and all attachments as indicated below.- Create an application in Themis and lodge the following documents, including this form.

o Instructions on how to create a Themis account can be found at: https://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-research/your-candidature/human-research-ethics

Note: Research cannot commence until approval is received

Attached Not Applicable

Project with Program Application FormMust be signed by the responsible researcher (Supervisor

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Minor Thesis Researcher AgreementMust be read and signed by both the responsible researcher (Supervisor) and the student researcher.

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Minor Thesis Responsibilities Checklist

Must be read and marked to ensure that the researchers involved understand the ethical requirements of

those conducting research on humans

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Minor Thesis Risk AssessmentProvides guidance to research that is in scope and t and an opportunity to explain any plans in place

to minimise risks.

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Plain Language StatementUsing the template provided frame your research in a way that will be easily understood by any

possible research participants. A copy of the PLS should be given to all participants to keep.

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Consent FormUsing the template provided fill in your project details. This is for participants to sign and will be

retained by the responsible researcher at the end of the project and securely stored for a

minimum of 5 years after the thesis is submitted/final publication.

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Questionnaires and SurveysIf you are planning on conducting interviews or using surveys you should include these in your application.

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Recruitment materialsIf you are planning using materials (e.g. emails, posters, social media posts, etc) to recruit participants you

should include these in your application.

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Overseas Risk OutlineStudents conducting research overseas must submit an Overseas risk outline, including how the research

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Ethics Program Approval: 19455415.1

data will be managed.

Ethics Program Approval: 19455415.1

HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICSPROJECT WITHIN PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM

How To Use This Form1. A Project within Program application must conform to an approved Program of research

A Project within Program is a low risk project that retrofits a Program or template of research already approved by a HESC. Research cannot commence until the Project within Program has been reviewed and approved by the relevant HEAG. Further information about Program applications and Project within Program applications can be found here

2. Consider and refer to relevant guidelines and regulations.References to specific guidelines are provided, with hyperlinks, throughout this form. The primary guide for human research ethics in Australia is the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2018. Human research ethics applications at the University of Melbourne are reviewed and approved under the warrant of the National Statement. References to the National Statement are abbreviated (e.g. NS §2.1 .)

3. Use plain English.Use clear, non-technical language in your application. Be concise. Spell out the first instances of acronyms and abbreviations. Avoid jargon. Do not repeat information. Following these directions ensures effective review of your application. It will avoid unnecessary delays which result if applications are not clear and concise.

4. Consider ethical principles.Your application will be reviewed according to the principles of ethical research outlined in the National Statement, namely:

Research Merit and Integrity (NS §1.1 - §1.3 ) Justice (NS §1.4 - §1.5 ) Beneficence (NS §1.6 - §1.9 ) Respect (NS §1.10 - §1.13 )

5. Save your completed application with attachments as a PDF and upload it to Themis.Refer to your local Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) for detailed instructions on how and when to submit your application.

ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS IN THIS FORM

Ethics ID and Title of Project within Program(enter ethics ID and title of Project within Program as recorded in Themis)

Project title:

Ethics ID: [from Themis]

Responsible researcher for Project within Program(enter name of Responsible researcher as recorded in Themis)

[Supervisor]

Ethics ID and Title of Program(enter ethics ID and title of the relevant Program as recorded in Themis)

19455415.1 MSD Minor Thesis

Responsible researcher for Program(enter name of Responsible researcher as recorded in Themis)

Professor Alan Pert

1. Project within Summary of Project within Program in plain language.

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Program Description

Project within Program Description and Alignment with approved Program of Research[Provide details of the Project within Program by completing the following table. Then check the relevant section of the approved Program of research (in brackets) and tick the right-hand column to confirm that it complies:

Project within Program details Aligns with Program?

research purpose (1.1A) The minor thesis research training provides students with the opportunity to devise and conduct original research of their own choosing. The Program ethics approval covers enrolled students undertaking an MSD minor thesis subject whose research is of negligible or low risk.

research question (1.1B) [To be developed with your Supervisor]

research method (2.2) [To be developed with your Supervisor]

participant cohort (2.2A) [To be developed with your Supervisor. As a rule, participants should generally be between 18 and 65, and vulnerable cohorts not be targeted.]

recruitment process (2.2B) [To be developed with your Supervisor. Participants will normally be recruited by the student researchers directly or through community groups and organisations. Contact will be made using contact details gained through publicly available databases (e.g. via email or phone).

Where participants are approached in person, the student researcher will approach them and invite them to participate in their study. A Plain Language Statement will be provided so that the participant can make an informed decision about participation

Participants may receive information or invitation to participate through a central contact in an organisation. Where employers are inviting employees on the researcher’s behalf, they will emphasise that participation is voluntary.

Student researchers may recruit through personal or professional contacts. Students will refrain from recruiting through a workplace at with they are actively employed. Students may use social media to recruit participants.

participant task(s) (2.2D) Participants will be invited to be involved in any of the following activities:

• Structured interview and/or brief survey/questionnaire (student taking notes), for up to 15 minutes.

• Open-ended and/or semi-structured interview (audio recorded), using questions and themes previously agreed to with the supervisor, for a maximum of one hour.

• Online survey (up to 15 minutes).

• Focus groups (audio recorded and/or notes taken by participants and/or students), of no longer than 1.5 hours in duration.

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risk and risk management process (3.1-3.3)

Please Identify, as far as possible, any potential risks to participants associated with the research program. Projects governed by this project must be of negligible or low risk.

Risks may include – minor discomfort, or

- Potential for participants to be identified due to small cohort

In projects where there is potential for responses to be identifiable due to the small number, participants must be notified through the PLS of this potential.

Participants will be advised through the PLS and Consent Form and in person (where applicable) that participation is voluntary and that they can withdraw their participation.

consent process (4.1) Normally consent will be

Written consent – using a consent form,

Verbal consent – a script should be read or

Consent will be implied – online and face to face anonymous surveys

In addition, Consent will be specific, i.e. just for this research purpose and data will not be used for future research.

data management process (5.3)

Where participants are not named in the final thesis their privacy and the confidentiality of their responses will be protected. Students and supervisor will make sure that responses cannot be linked to individuals in the thesis, or any resulting publication/s, by referring to individuals by a pseudonym, and not disclosing any information which could lead to their identification (employment position, role in projects/organisations, etc). Sometimes, this information is crucial to the project outcomes, in these situations, student researchers will explain related risks to participants during recruitment. Students must only use that information if participants consent to their name or other identifiable information being used.

Where photography is used, students will ensure faces are blurred so individuals cannot be identified. Where audio or visual recording is used students will use password secure data storage, separate storage of participant details to the recordings and publication of only non-identifiable details to preserve anonymity.

During the data collection period, students will store data in password protected files. They will not share the data with anyone apart from their supervisor, or in rare instances a co-student who might be conducting a double coding exercise for qualitative data analysis. Once the thesis is complete, data storage will be the responsibility of the supervisor.

Students conducting research overseas will be required to address how the research data will be managed. Students will be advised that data should not be kept on any form of social media (such as WeChat) or mobile phones, and that data should instead be kept in password protected files or if possible, on the student’s password protected University provided data storage accessed via the University’s VPN.

The raw data will be stored at the University of Melbourne by the student’s supervisor for a minimum of 5 years after the last publication of the research results. Thesis submission may be

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the only publication. The data will be destroyed after this period.

reporting process (5.1-5.2) Participants should have the opportunity to request a summary of findings via an email address. This may be done via an email address on the consent form. Online survey participants may also have an opportunity to request a summary of findings at the end of their survey. Participants will receive a Plain Language Statement with the Responsible Researcher and Student Researcher’s email address should they require more information.

Project outcomes will be reported via a written dissertation, available to the public through the Faculty library. Some students may also present findings at academic conferences, or in academic journal articles, or industry news magazines.

Other (please specify) Use this section to for anything not included above.

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Attachments Checklist

Review the description above to determine which attachments (if any) are required for this application. Type an “X” in the left-hand column beside all items that apply to this Project within Program. Attach a copy of the items you have selected.

Plain Language Statement (PLS) for Participants

Consent Form for Participants

Additional PLS(s) (e.g. for parents, teachers, schools)

Additional Consent Form(s) (e.g. for parents, teachers, schools; or assent forms for children)

Recruitment Materials (e.g. advertisement(s), posters, letter(s) or email(s) of invitation)

Questionnaire(s) and/or Survey Instrument(s)

Measure(s) and/or Scale(s)

List of Interview Questions and/or Themes

List of Focus Group Questions and/or Themes

Participant Distress Protocol

Adverse Event Protocol

Debriefing Statement

Approval(s) of research by an HREC external to the University of Melbourne

Other External Approval(s) (e.g. schools, communities)

Full Protocol (for Medical Research)

Translations and/or Back-Translations (where languages other than English used)

Privacy and Databanks Module

Body Tissue and Genetic Research Module

Ionising Radiation Module

Interventions, Therapies and Trials Module

Other Documents (e.g. contracts, agreements) – specify which:

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Plain Language Statement (PLS) Requirements:

1. Clearly identify the University of Melbourne (i.e. by prominent placement of the University’s logo) and the department(s)/ school(s)/faculty(-ies) involved. If printed, the PLS should be on University of Melbourne letterhead.

2. Clearly identify the title of the Project within Program, and the name(s) and contact details of the Principal Researcher and Other Researchers. For student Projects within Program, specify the student’s level of study.

3. Clearly explain the purpose of the research.

4. Clearly explain what participants will be asked to do, and provide an estimated time commitment.

5. If participants will be photographed, audio- or video-recorded, clearly state as much.

6. Clearly explain any risks arising from participation, as well as any procedures or measures in place to minimise such risks.

7. Describe any expected benefits to the wider community. If applicable, also describe any expected benefits to participants.

8. List any payments, incentives or reimbursements to be made to participants.

9. State that involvement in the research is voluntary and that participants are free to withdraw from participation at any time. Explain any implications of withdrawal, including whether it will be possible for participants to withdraw any data already collected from or about them.

10. Describe the likelihood and form of dissemination of the research results, including publication.

11. Describe the arrangements in place to protect the confidentiality of participants’ data, and advise participants of any legal limitations to such confidentiality. If the sample size for the research is small, advise participants that this may make them identifiable.

12. Include the Project within Program ID number assigned by Themis and the date and version number of the PLS. If the PLS is printed, put this information in the footer.

13. Explain what will happen to participants’ data after the research ends (i.e. how long it will be retained, whether it might be used again for future research and if so who would have access.)

14. Include the following statement: “This research has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of The University of Melbourne. If you have any concerns or complaints about the conduct of this research, which you do not wish to discuss with the research team, you should contact the Manager, Human Research Ethics, Research Ethics and Integrity, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010. Tel: +61 3 8344 2073 or Email: humanethics-complaints@unimelb.edu.au All complaints will be treated confidentially. In any correspondence please provide the name of the research team or the name or ethics ID number of the Project within Program.”

15. If the research is externally funded, state the amount(s) and source(s) of funding for the research.

16. If there are any potential conflicts of interest for any of the researchers, sponsors (if applicable) or institutions, disclose these potential conflicts of interest.

17. If any participants will be in a dependent relationship with any of the researchers, state that decisions about participation will not affect the dependent relationship. (E.g. students’ grades will not be affected if they decline to participate or withdraw from the research at any stage).

Consent Form Requirements:

1. Clearly identify the University of Melbourne (i.e. by prominent placement of the University’s logo) and the department(s)/ school(s)/faculty(-ies) involved. If printed, the consent form should be on University of Melbourne letterhead.

2. Clearly identify the title of the Project within Program, the name(s) and contact details of the Principal Researcher and Other Researchers. For student Projects within Program, specify the student’s level of study.

3. If participants will be photographed, audio- or video-recorded, clearly state as much.

4. State that involvement is for the purpose of research and that it is voluntary. Also state that participants are free to withdraw consent at any time, and to withdraw any unprocessed data previously supplied.

5. Describe the arrangements in place to protect the confidentiality of participants’ data, and advise participants of any legal limitations to such confidentiality. If the sample size for the research is small, advise participants that this may make them identifiable.

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Declaration by the Responsible ResearcherThe information contained in this application is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, accurate. I have read the University’s current human ethics guidelines. I accept responsibility for the conduct of the procedures set out in the attached application in accordance with: those guidelines, with the University’s Research Integrity and Misconduct Policy (MPF1318), and with any other condition laid down by the University of Melbourne’s Central Human Research Ethics Committee (CHREC), its Human Ethics Sub-Committees (HESCs), or by the Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) which will review this application. I have attempted to identify all risks related to the research that may arise in conducting this research. I acknowledge our obligations as researchers and the rights of the participants stipulated in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2018 . I certify that the research team has the appropriate qualifications, experience and facilities to conduct the research described in the attached application, and to deal with any emergencies and contingencies related to research that may arise throughout the life of the program and related projects within the program.If approval is granted, the Project within Program will be undertaken in strict accordance with the approved Program and relevant laws, regulations and guidelines.I, the Responsible Researcher, agree to: start this research only after obtaining final approval for this Project with Program from the HEAG;

carry out this research only where adequate funding is available to enable the research to be carried out according to good research practice and in an ethical manner;

provide additional information as requested by the CHREC, HESC, or HEAG;

provide progress reports to the CHREC, HESC, or HEAG as requested, including annual and final reports;

maintain the confidentiality of all data collected from, or about, research participants and maintain security procedures for the protection of their privacy;

submit an amendment if any modification to the research design or protocol is proposed (including any change of researchers) and to proceed with the research only after the amendment has been approved by the HESC (if this is for the overall program) or by the HEAG (if this is for a particular project within program);

notify the HESC in writing immediately if any adverse event occurs during the course of the research;

notify the HESC in writing immediately if any complaints are received about the research;

comply with an audit of the research undertaken, if requested by the CHREC, HESC, or HEAG;

use only the data/tissue samples collected for this research, and for which HESC/HEAG approval has been given.

I certify that all members of the research team have read this application and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2018 and that they have agreed to comply with the provisions of the latter.

Responsible Researcher of PWP Name Signature Date

[Supervisor]

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Declaration by Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG)

Declaration

(Project within Program):

The HEAG has completed a review of this project within program application and considers that it aligns with the approved Program of research. Accordingly, the HEAG approves this Project within Program. The HEAG considers that the researcher(s) has/have the necessary qualifications, experience and facilities to conduct the research described in the attached application in a manner that complies with the University’s policy on the management of research data and records, and to deal with any emergencies and contingencies that may arise. [Note: If the HEAG Chair is also a researcher in this Program of research, the declaration should be signed by another authorised member of the HEAG.]

Name of HEAG Chair/Authorised Member Signature Date

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Minor Thesis Researcher AgreementTo be read and signed by the student and supervisor prior to commencing research

We accept responsibility for the ethical and responsible conduct of the procedures set out in ethics application 19455415.1 in accordance with the University’s policies, the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

We have attempted to identify all risks related to the research that may arise in conducting this research and acknowledge our obligations and the rights of the participants. We accept that our research project is one that is lower than negligible risk, as determined by consultation with the relevant Minor Thesis Subject coordinator and ABP HEAG Representative. Please refer to the attached Minor Thesis Risk Assessment.

We have the appropriate qualifications, experience and facilities to conduct the research set out in application 19455415.1 and to deal with any emergencies and contingencies related to the research that may arise.

If approval is granted, the project will be undertaken in strict accordance with the approved protocol and all relevant laws, regulations and guidelines.

We, the researcher(s) agree: to only start this research project after obtaining final approval from the Architecture, Building and Planning Human

Ethics Advisory Group (ABP HEAG), on behalf of the University’s Human Ethics Sub Committee (HESC); to provide additional information as requested by the ABP HEAG or HESC; to provide annual or final reports when requested by the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity; to maintain the security of all data collected from or about project participants, and for the protection of privacy; to notify the ABP HEAG in writing immediately if any change to the project is proposed and await approval before

proceeding with the proposed change; to notify the Manager, Human Research Ethics, Research Ethics and Integrity, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010. Tel:

+61 3 8344 2073 or Email: HumanEthics-complaints@unimelb.edu.au in writing immediately if any adverse event occurs after the approval of the ABP HEAG has been obtained;

to agree to an audit if requested by the HESC; to only use data collected for the study for which approval has been given; and for the responsible researcher (supervisor) to store the data for a minimum period of five years after the final

publication or public release of research.

We understand the protocol for this project and agree to comply with its provisions. We have completed the attached Minor Thesis Responsibilities checklist and Minor Thesis Research Risk Assessment.

Responsible Researcher (Supervisor)

Name Discipline

SignatureEmail Address

Phone Number

+61

Student Researcher

Name Department 7020 - Architecture, Building and Planning

SignatureStudent ID

Phone Number

+61 Email Address

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Minor Thesis Responsibilities Checklist

Student Name: __

Supervisor Name:

Supervisors

☐ Supervisors are the Responsible Researchers for student research projects. As such, regular supervision meetings, as well as student consultation via email (and/or telephone) must take place throughout the duration of the project.

☐ Supervisors must retain the raw data in secure storage during, and delete the at the conclusion of, the minimum 5 year retention period after the final publication or submission of the final report.

☐ Supervisors must read and sign the Minor Thesis Researcher Agreement☐ Supervisors must retain oversight of the Minor Thesis Risk Assessment submission☐ Research may not commence until receipt of final written approval from ABP HEAG☐ Supervisors are responsible for the student’s research activities, such as requiring students to complete a Health and Safety General Risk Assessment Form

Students

☐ Students must provide a Plain Language Statement to participants at the participants level of comprehension that details the purpose, methods, demands, risks, inconveniences, discomforts and possible outcomes of the research using the attached template.

☐ Students must provide a Consent Form (for written consent): participant’s consent needs to be clearly established by using a signed Consent Form. Use the template provided. Note: For implied consent, such as an online survey, a consent form is not required.

☐ Students must advise participants that participation is voluntary and that they can withdraw from the research, pause or skip questions should a they feel distress. Students must terminate any interview, focus group, or survey, etc that causes participant distress.

☐ Upon request, students are required to be willing and able to supply a full copy of their thesis (preferably as a pdf, but also potentially in hard copy) to respondents.

☐ Students must enable the accessibility of data stored for the retention period by ensuring the supervisor retains all raw data that emerges from the research project.

☐ Students must read and sign the Researcher Agreement.☐ Students must complete the Minor Thesis Risk Assessment.☐ Research may not commence until receipt of final written approval from ABP HEAG.

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Minor Thesis Risk Assessment

Assessing Participant Risk

Does the research specifically target [select as many as applicable]:☐ Children/legal minors (anyone under the age of 18 years);☐ Pensioners or welfare recipients, or individuals from low socioeconomic status backgrounds;☐ Anyone intellectually or mentally impaired who cannot provide consent;☐ Anyone who has a physical disability;☐ Patients or clients of professionals;☐ Anyone who is a prisoner or parolee;☐ A ward of the state;☐ Any other person whose capacity to give informed consent may be compromised;☐ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and/or communities;☐ Other collectives where a leader or council of elders may need to give consent;☐ Persons in dependent or unequal relationships (employers/employees, lecturers/students).☐ None of the above

Targeting the participant groups listed above fall outside the scope of the APB Minor Thesis ethics approval. Your project should be discussed on a case by case basis with your Supervisor and Minor Thesis Subject Coordinator. If it is agreed the project is to go ahead you will need to submit a Human Research Ethics Project Application, for further advice please email abp-ethics@unimelb.edu.au.

Please use the space below to elaborate on any items selected (apart from None of the above)

Does the research involve [select as many as applicable]:☐ covert observation;☐ access to personal and/or confidential data (including student, patient or client data) without the participant’s specific consent;☐ administration of any stimuli, tasks, investigations or procedures which may be experienced by participants as physically or

mentally painful, stressful or unpleasant during or after the research process;☐ performance of any acts which might diminish the self-esteem of participants or cause them to experience embarrassment,

regret or depression;☐ research about participants involved in illegal activities;☐ a conflict of interest;☐ participant incentives☐ Social media data sources, such as using social media for data scraping. ☐ None of the above

Research involving the above points is likely to fall outside the scope of the APB Minor Thesis ethics approval. Your project should be discussed on a case by case basis with your Supervisor and Minor Thesis Subject Coordinator. If it is agreed the project is to go ahead you will need to submit a Human Research Ethics Project Application, for further advice please email abp-ethics@unimelb.edu.au.

Please use the space below to elaborate on any items selected (apart from None of the above)

Does the research involve the use of existing data?☐ Yes☐ No

If yes, please elaborate:

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Does the research involve the use photography, or audio or visual recording?☐ Photography☐ Audio Recording☐ Visual Recording☐ None of the above

Please explain how the risk of maintaining anonymity, data security and publication will be addressed. For example, blurring of faces in photographs, using password secure data storage, separate storage of participant details and publication of non-identifiable details.

Assessing Researcher Risk

Please outline where research is to be conducted (including specific location and country):

If your research is to be undertaken overseas, you are required to assess the potential risk to your safety in consultation with your supervisor. The areas of risk which must be considered prior to conducting research overseas are:

- Ensure your fitness for travel and participation in the activity including vaccinations- Determine the safety of the method of travel to the site- Determine if there are any permits or approvals you need to conduct the research.- Assess the risks associated with the travel destination (note that travel to a country with a DFAT travel advisory

warning of 'Reconsider your need to travel' or 'Do not travel' will not be approved)- Assess the risks of data collection complete a Health and Safety General Risk Assessment Form if appropriate.

Students at overseas destinations in pursuance of University activities must comply immediately with any direction given in the interests of their safety by the Dean, Faculty Executive Director, Provost or other senior University Officer.

Students conducting research overseas must:☐ submit an Overseas Risk Outline that addresses these risk areas and attach it to this Risk Assessment;☐ advise below how the generated research data will be stored and transferred securely; and ☐ obtain a local supervisor for the period of overseas data collection. The local supervisor will have expertise in the research area and be able to help with day to day contingencies.

Overseas research data managementPlease address how the research data will be stored and transferred securely. Data must not be kept on any form of social media (such as WeChat) or on your mobile phone. Data must be kept in password protected files or if possible, on the your password protected University provided data storage file accessed via the University’s VPN.

Local supervisor details

Note to researchers: This is a guide only. Please use the highlighted, bracketed sections to change this document according to the specific nature of your research project. Please:

provide details of any risks to participants and the procedures in place to minimise these. Update the footer (the Ethics ID number must be included; the number is created by Themis when you create your application) format the final document to maximum two pages. delete the notes to researcher, any unused suggested content, remove yellow highlighting and square brackets before submitting

your application.

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Plain Language Statement Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Project: [Project Title]

[Dr Jane Doe] (Responsible Researcher) Tel: +61 [1234 1234] Email: [janedoe@unimelb.edu.au][Sally Smith] (Masters student) Email: [sallysmith@unimelb.edu.au]

IntroductionThank you for your interest in participating in this research project. The following few pages will provide you with further information about the project, so that you can decide if you would like to take part in this research.

Please take the time to read this information carefully. You may ask questions about anything you don’t understand or want to know more about.

Your participation is voluntary. If you don’t wish to take part, you don’t have to. If you begin participating, you can also stop at any time.

What is this research about?You are invited to participate in the above research project, which is being conducted by [Dr. Jane Doe] (supervisor) and [Ms Sally Smith] (Masters Student) of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at The University of Melbourne. This project will form part of [Ms. Smith’s] Masters Thesis and has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee. The aim of this study is to investigate [insert aims here].

What will I be asked to do?Should you agree to participate, you will be asked to [insert methodology e.g. complete a questionnaire]. This [methodology] would ask you to indicate your [reactions/opinion etc.] to [aspect of research topic]. [With your permission, the interview would be audio-recorded so that we can ensure that we make an accurate record of what you say. When the interview has been transcribed, you would be provided with a copy of the transcript, so that you can verify that the information is correct and/or request deletions]. We estimate that the time commitment required of you would not exceed [x minutes].

What are the possible benefits?[Clearly explain any potential benefits of participating in the research, and any potential benefits of the research for society. If applicable, light refreshments for focus group participants should be included here].

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What are the possible risks?[Clearly explain any risks arising from participation, as well as any procedures or measures in place to minimise such risks such as withdrawing, pausing or skipping a question if the participant feels distress]. We will remove any references to personal information that might allow someone to guess your identity; [however, you should note that as the number of people we seek to interview is very small, it is possible that someone may still be able to identify you.] List any further data storage considerations for audio-visual and/or photographic materials as outlined in the MSD Minor Thesis Ethics Application.

Will I hear about the results of this project?[Once the Thesis resulting from this research has been completed, a brief summary of the findings will be made available by researchers upon request or to the email address provided on the Consent Form or end of survey.] A copy of the Thesis will also be available in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning Library. Should you require any further information, or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact either of the researchers on the number or emails provided above.

What will happen to information about me?We intend to protect your anonymity to the fullest possible extent, within the limits of the law. Your name and contact details will be kept in a password-protected file. Your data will be stored in a separate password protected file and will be destroyed a minimum of 5 years after the thesis is submitted [or final publication]. Your details will only be able to be linked to your responses by the researchers, [for example, in order to know where to send your interview transcript for checking]. In the final report, you will be referred to by a pseudonym.

Where can I get further information?If you would like more information about the project, or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the researchers; [Responsible Researcher] [contact], or [Student Researcher] [contact].

Who can I contact if I have any concerns about the project?This research project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of The University of Melbourne. If you have any concerns or complaints about the conduct of this research project, which you do not wish to discuss with the research team, you should contact the Manager, Human Research Ethics, Research Ethics and Integrity, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010. Tel: +61 3 8344 2073 or Email: HumanEthics-complaints@unimelb.edu.au . All complaints will be treated confidentially. In any correspondence please provide the name of the research team or the name or ethics ID number of the research project.

Note for researchers regarding alternative confidentiality arrangementsIf your project falls within a field in which it is important or conventional to name the source of your information, you may wish to alter the Plain Language Statement, for example:In this type of project it is normal to give the names of people who have contributed information. We would like to seek your permission to use your name in the final thesis. If you would prefer some comments to be made off the record, you could indicate this [during the interview, or when you

Ethics Program Approval: 19455415.1

review the transcript of the interview]. If for any reason you choose not to be named, we would refer to you by a pseudonym, and remove any contextual details that might reveal your identity. We will protect your anonymity to the fullest possible extent within the limits of the law; your name and contact details would be kept in a password protected file separate from the data you supply. You should note, however, that since the number of potential interviewees is small, it might still be possible for someone to identify you.

Note for researchers regarding aggregate dataIf you intend to use aggregate data only, you may wish to alter the Plain Language Statement, for example:The results of this study will be reported as group data only. Your individual information will not be identifiable in the report. To further protect your confidentiality and anonymity, we will store your name and contact details in a separate, secure file from the data you supply. All computer files will be accessible to the researchers only and will be password protected. You should note that these measures are only able to guarantee confidentiality within the limits of the law.

Ethics Program Approval: 19455415.1

Note to researchers: This is a guide only. Please use the highlighted, bracketed sections to change this document according to the specific nature of your research project. Delete to notes to researcher, remove yellow highlighting and square brackets before submitting your application. Please format the final document to maximum one page and update the footer.

Consent FormFaculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Project: [Project Title]

Responsible Researcher: [Dr Jane Doe]

Additional Researchers: [Sally Smith] (Masters student)

Name of Participant:

1. I consent to participate in this project, the details of which have been explained to me, and I have been provided with a written plain language statement to keep.

2. I understand that the purpose of this research is to investigate [insert one sentence description].

3. I understand that my participation in this project is for research for a masters thesis.

4. I acknowledge that the possible effects of participating in this research project have been explained to my satisfaction.

5. In this project I will be required to [insert every activity the participant will undertake in the project. e.g. complete a survey. Ensure that this is consistent with the information provided in the Plain Language Statement]

6. [IF APPLICABLE] I understand that my interviews may be audio-recorded.

7. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw from this project anytime without explanation or prejudice and to withdraw any unprocessed data that I have provided.

8. I understand that the data from this research will be stored at the University of Melbourne and will be destroyed a minimum of 5 years after the thesis is submitted [or final publication].

9. I have been informed that the confidentiality of the information I provide will be safeguarded subject to any legal requirements; my data will be password protected and accessible only by the named researchers.

Ethics ID Number: [insert your ethics ID] Project Start Date: [date] Version: [version]

10. [IF APPLICABLE] I understand that given the small number of participants involved in the study, it may not be possible to guarantee my anonymity.

11. [IF APPLICABLE] I understand I will be [referred to by a pseudonym/named/identified by my occupation and/or work organisation type] in any publications arising from the research.

12. I understand that after I sign and return this consent form, it will be retained by the researcher.

Participant Signature: Date:

[IF APPLICABLE] I wish to receive a copy of the summary project report on the research findings:

Participant Email:

Ethics ID Number: [insert your ethics ID] Project Start Date: [date] Version: [version]