Study Title: Highly publicised incidents of Police Use of Force and its effect on students' perceptions towards the Police, in the UK.
Researcher: Ellie Bassett
ERGO number: 31611
Please read this information carefully before deciding to take part in this research. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you are happy to participate you will be asked to sign a consent form.
What is the research about?
You are invited to participate in a research study titled ‘Highly publicised incidents of Police use of force and its effect on students' perceptions towards the Police, in the UK.’ This research is being done as part of my Dissertation as a third year studying Criminology, at the University of Southampton. The purpose of this study is to observe the role of news media in publicising incidents of Police use of force and whether it impacts students' perceptions of the police, in the UK, and to investigate whether perceptions differ amongst participants characteristics, such as gender and ethnicity.
Why have I been asked to participate?
You have been chosen as part of an opportunity sample. The individual fits the criteria as a UK citizen (aged 18-25) who is enrolled on a course at the University of Southampton, or you are a member of the public who had this research study advertised to them, and is enrolled on a course at a UK university.
What will happen to me if I take part?
After giving electronic consent, you are expected to follow an online survey lasting around 15-20 minutes. There will be no contact after you have finished the survey. However, at the end of the debriefing statement you will be given the opportunity to provide your email address if you wish to receive a copy of the final findings. In the debriefing statement, you will also be reminded of the research aims and expected findings, alongside my details if you wish to contact me with questions you may have.
Are there any benefits in my taking part?
There may be no benefit to you directly, but your valued responses and the information I collect may add to current knowledge, beside the opportunity to reveal more about how media representations can impact perceptions towards the Police, and whether these perceptions differ amongst participants socio-demographic characterisitcs.
Are there any risks involved?
The research study may include content that is sensitive for respondents who may have been personally affected by police use of force or know someone who has been.
Will my participation be confidential?
Here, I wish to state my compliance with the Data Protection Act/University policy. To ensure anonymity and confidentiality of the respondent, I will not use any of the participants’ names or use any personal details that could reveal their identity when collecting and writing up my findings.
What should I do if I want to take part?
After reading this participant information sheet, you will have the opportunity to give electronic consent which will identify that you wish to take part in the research.
What happens if I change my mind?
You, as the respondent, have the right to withdraw at any time during the survey without your rights being affected. However, you cannot withdraw any responses that have been made after submitting the survey. If you wish to erase your responses before submitting the survey, you have the right to withdraw without penalty.
What will happen to the results of the research?
If you wish to take part in my research, the data that you will provide me will be written up as part of my Dissertation project. Your data will be stored and retained confidentially up to the point of writing up my dissertation. You will not receive a copy of the results. Additionally, your data will not be made available for future research projects.
Where can I get more information?
You are welcome to contact me at eb10g15@soton.ac.uk if you have any further questions.
What happens if something goes wrong?
In the unlikely case of concern or complaint, you may contact the Research Integrity and Governance Manager (023 8059 5058, rgoinfo@soton.ac.uk).
Thank you for taking the time to read the information sheet and for considering taking part in my research.
ELECTRONIC CONSENT: By clicking below to start the survey indicates that:
