You are being invited to take part in a research study, which forms part of an MSc forensic psychology degree. To complete this research you need to be aged between 18 and 25 and consider yourself to have been in an intimate relationship for a minimum of 6 months. The study is looking at the sending of explicit messages from partners and ex-partners. It is interested in what you think about this and the context in which it could occur. You may find some of the questions asked sensitive. One questionnaire will also ask you about some sexual behaviours and your view of these.
You will be asked to complete three questionnaires in total:
- One that assesses a caring personality type at one end and a less caring, more psychopathic personality at the other. This does not, however, diagnose psychopathy; it is just a measure of caring versus less-caring personality.
- One that looks at general personality such as your openness to experience, extraversion, and tendency to become emotional.
- One that looks at your sensitivity to disgust.
The questionnaires will take you about 20 minutes, or less, to complete. They are completely anonymous. If you find any of them upset you or are intrusive, please do not complete them. Only the researchers will have access to the individual questionnaires and only group results will be reported in any publication.
You do not have to take part in this research. You also have the right to withdraw from the research at any point up to the completion of the questionnaire. As the questionnaire is anonymous it will be impossible to identify your data. Your data cannot therefore be removed after submission. Please note that the data is saved as you progress through the sections and so it will not be possible to discard questions answered up to the point of exiting as your data will not be identifiable. However, the researcher will not be considering any surveys that are not at least 50% completed. These will be discarded.
Due to the sensitive nature of some of the questions we would advise that you complete these questionnaires on your own and in private. We would also advise that you should delete your browsing history following completion. You can do so through ‘Internet Options’ from whatever package you use (e.g. explorer/firefox). Please note that we will not be collecting IP addresses.
If you have any concerns about the research that you wish to raise with someone independent of the research team, you can with the University Officer for Ethics (OfficerForEthics@uclan.ac.uk).
For further information regarding the study, including any questions you may have over the content, please contact:
Student researcher (Jessica Newsome; JANewsome@uclan.ac.uk)
Supervisor (Professor Jane L. Ireland; JLIreland1@uclan.ac.uk)
What if I need support over the issues raised?
The following are examples of support services that can help if you are distressed or upset:
The Samaritans: Telephone: 08457 90 90 90
Sane Line: Telephone Helpline: 0300 304 7000
