1.. Invitation paragraph
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 if you would like more information.
2 What is the purpose of the project/study?
The aim of this research is to evaluate the potential use of novel 360-technology for practice-based learning and training in Environmental Health from an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP), Student and Academic perspective.
3. Why have I been chosen?
It is important that we assess as many participants as possible, and you have indicated that you are interested in taking part in this study. You have been chosen because you are either an Environmental Health Practitioner, Student and/or EH Academic.
4. Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. You can withdraw from the study at any time. It may not be possible to withdraw any answers (to questions) that you give since no personal data will be collected to identify you and your answers.
5. What will I have to do?
You will be asked to give answers to 25 questions in an online questionnaire on your experience and attitude towards an Environmental Health-related immersive scenario which will take the form of a Housing Inspection typically conducted by an EHP and examining an urban green space and features related to wellbeing.
You will be shown a range of 360 photospheres (images) and asked to navigate your way through the 360-scenario via the instructions. You will then be asked to share your attitude and opinions towards using 360 technology via a survey weblink. The survey will take around 15mins to complete.
6. What are the possible risks or benefits of taking part?
There are no known risks in participating in this project. This research will help evaluate the potential for 360 technology to enhance environmental health practice and learning across a number of areas.
7. Data Protection and Confidentiality
Personal data (e.g. your name, email address, voice or any data that can identify you) will NOT be collected by this study and your confidentiality will be protected.
Personal data is any data that can lead to the identification of a specific (living) person. It can be obviously identifiable data such as name or a combination of "innocent" data such as age, height/weight, wealth, job position, company, city, etc. that when combined can lead to the identification of a person.
Your responses to the survey are collected anonymously, but if you decide to withdraw your participation in this study after beginning, you can do so by contacting us and quoting a self-created ID-code for this purpose. This number is unique to your survey response and has only been shown to you. Please note this for your records now if you think you may want to withdraw your response. We will not be able to retrieve it for you in future if you contact us. You will be able to add a unique ID-code below.
8. What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results of the research study will be used as part of an academic research led by researchers in Ulster University. The results may also be presented at conferences or in journal articles.
9. Who has reviewed the study?
The study has received full ethical clearance from the Research ethics committee who reviewed the study. The committee is the School of the Built Environment Research Ethics Filter Committee at Ulster University.
10. Contact for further information
If you require further information, have any questions or would like to withdraw your data then please contact:
Dr Aaron Lawson – Principal Investigator and Lecturer in Environmental Health at Ulster University – a.lawson@ulster.ac.uk
Thank you in advance for finding the time to feed back information to the project. I trust all instructions are clear and easily understood. However, if you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me, Dr Aaron Lawson (a.lawson@ulster.ac.uk) . All data provided will be treated with anonymity. You agree by completing this questionnaire that your responses can be used but not cited in the completion of the project in agreement with the Data Protection Act.
There are 27 questions in this survey.
