Introduction to the Survey
Dr Victoria Cooper, Professor Jane Payler and Dr Stephanie Bennett from The Open University would like to invite you to take part in this online survey being conducted in collaboration with YSS. Before you decide, we would like you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it would involve for you to take part.
What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of this online survey is to speak directly to families who have a parent currently in prison, to see what support they are currently receiving, and to find out what further support is needed.
Do I have to take part?
There is no obligation for you to take part and it is entirely up to you to decide whether you would like to join the study.
What will happen if I take part?
You be asked to answer a short set of survey questions. All responses are entirely confidential and anonymous. We will not ask for your name and address. All data collected will be held securely and password protected. The survey will take you around 10 minutes to complete.
Expenses and payments
The survey is free to complete and there is no cost to you apart from your time. No expense, payments or incentives are available.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
Aside from using your time, no disadvantages are anticipated. Your identity will never be revealed in my final report or any published material, and all data will be presented in summary format.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Whilst it is unlikely that you will receive any direct benefit as a result of taking part in the study, you will be contributing towards important research. It will help us with up-to-date knowledge about the extent to which services and support are needed by families with an adult family member currently in Prison.
Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?
The survey responses can only be accessed by one member of the research team, and the data file will be password protected. Survey responses will be stored up for up to 5 years. After this time, the data file will be deleted.
What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?
All questions are optional. If you wish to abandon the survey before completion, you can simply leave the website or simply miss out any questions you would rather not answer.
If you complete all or part of the survey, but then decide you would like to withdraw your data, please be aware that it will not be possible due to the anonymous nature of online surveys.
What if there is a problem?
If you have a concern about any aspect of this study, you should ask to speak to the research team, who will do their best to answer your questions. Dr Victoria Cooper can be contacted on: victoria.cooper@open.ac.uk
What will happen to the results of the research study?
The findings may form part of a published paper or book later. Summary findings may also be presented at relevant conferences. You will not be personally identified in any publication.
Who is organising and funding the research?
The research is being funded by YSS and carried out by academics from the Open University, Children’s Research Centre which will be providing insurance.
Who has reviewed the study?
This project has been approved by the Open University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and adheres to OU ethics review processes (HREC reference no. HREC/3887/Cooper). All data will be collected, processed, and stored in accordance with data protection legislation.
Further information and contact details
You are welcome to see the results and findings once the research is complete and the report is written and published. At completion and when the research findings are published you are welcome to express your feelings about the research, the researchers, and your participation.
For any other queries, please contact the researchers in the first instance on the details given above. Thank you for taking the time to read this information regardless of whether you decide to participate or not.