what is the purpose of this study? - university of oxford web viewsample information sheet: ... (the...
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Sample information sheet: on headed paper with contact details of researcher in header
Research Study: WHAT EFFECT DOES MEDITATION HAVE ON INFORMATION PROCESSING?
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully, and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or you would like more information. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part. Thank you for reading this.
What is the purpose of this study?We are interested to find out more about the effects of short periods of meditation on the way that people process information. In order to do this we will monitor people’s physiological responses (the electrical conductance of the skin on the hand) before and after a period of meditation, or a comparison activity, and whilst people complete a number of short computer-based tasks.
What will happen if I take part?You would be invited to the Department of Psychiatry for testing. We would measure the electrical conductance of the skin on the palm of your non-dominant hand both whilst you sat resting and whilst you completed several short computer-based tasks. We would also ask you to complete a number of questionnaires during the session.
The procedure for measuring skin conductance is harmless and painless and carries no significant risk to participants. The experimenter would first ask you to wash your hands with soap and water. They would then place two metal contacts (electrode sensors) on your palm. These would be attached to the skin with double-sided adhesive collars which could easily be removed at the end of the session (like a plaster). To make electrical contact, a gel would be placed under each metal contact. It is very unlikely that you would experience any discomfort during the placing of the electrode sensors. If however you did experience discomfort, we would terminate the experiment immediately without this having any negative consequences for you.
The gel used to make the electrical contact is water based with a similar salt composition to sweat and washes away easily.
Once the set-up is completed, you would be asked sit in a comfortable armchair and rest for ten minutes. A computer screen would then be wheeled in front of the chair. Words would be presented on the screen one at a time and you would be asked to make a judgement about each word and press a button to indicate your response.
Following the task you would be asked to remain seated and you would be given a set of headphones to wear. You would then be asked to listen to instructions from a CD and try to focus completely on either your emotions or your experiences and sensations. We will also ask you to rate your mood several times over the course of the experiment and to complete a couple of questionnaires.
Those who take part are reimbursed for their travel expenses and time.
if you choose to participate you can withdraw any time, without giving a reason and without penalty.
(It is permissible here to mention the amount of reimbursement)
What are the benefits of taking part?
Are there any risks involved in taking part?
What happens to the results of the research study?All the information we collect is kept strictly confidential and will be seen only by those researchers involved in the project. Data and test results will be identified by a code number only, and are kept in a locked filing cabinet or on password-protected computers. We plan to publish the results in a scientific journal, but would not normally give feedback about results to individual participants. Information about published papers can be found on our website (www.xxx.xxx).
Who is organising, funding and monitoring the research?The research is organised by xxx of Oxford University, and is funded by the Wellcome Trust. This study has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the University of Oxford’s ethical approval process for research involving human participants.
How do I raise concerns or make a complaint?
If you have a concern about any aspect of this project, please speak to the relevant researcher ([insert tel. no. here]) [or their supervisor ([insert tel. no. here]), where applicable,] who will do his/her best to answer your query. The researcher should acknowledge your concern within 10 working days and give you an indication of how he/she intends to deal with it. If you remain unhappy or wish to make a formal complaint, please contact the chair of the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Oxford (Chair, Medical Sciences Inter-Divisional Research Ethics Committee; Email: [email protected]; Address: Research Services, University of Oxford, wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JD). The chair will seek to resolve the matter in a reasonably expeditious manner.
How to contact us:
If you would be willing to take part in this study, or would like to discuss the research further with someone, please contact xx (doctoral student) at the following address/phone number:
Department of Psychiatry
Warneford Hospital
Headington
Oxford OX3 9DU
01865 222 797
Thank you!