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Evaluation of the psychological outcomes of RYLA

Thank you for agreeing to participate in our evaluation of RYLA. Please read the information below, and then proceed to the questionnaire.

Project title

Evaluation of the psychological outcomes of RYLA.
Study 2: Confirmation of themes.

Investigators

Tim Edwards-Hart
BAppSci(Psy)(Hons), GDipAdolHlthWelf., GradDipBehavSc.
Candidate for Doctor of Psychology, RMIT University
timothy.edwards-hart@rmit.edu.au, 03 9925 7376

Dr Andrea Chester
PhD, MA, Grad. Dip. Coun. Psych., BA
Research Supervisor, RMIT University
andrea.chester@rmit.edu.au, 03 9925 3150

Introduction

You are invited to participate in a research project being conducted by RMIT University. This information sheet describes the project in straightforward language, or ‘plain English’. Please read this sheet carefully and be confident that you understand its contents before deciding whether to participate. If you have any questions about the project, please ask one of the investigators.

Who is involved in this research project? Why is it being conducted?

This research project is being conducted by Tim Edwards-Hart, as part of a Doctor of Psychology degree, under the supervision of Dr. Andrea Chester and Prof. Ken Greenwood. It is designed to investigate the psychological outcomes for young people participating in RYLA. This project has been approved by the RMIT University Human Research Ethics Committee and is being funded by RMIT University.

Why have you been approached?

You have been approached to participate because of your involvement with Rotary District 9790’s RYLA in 2009.

What is the project about? What are the questions being addressed?

This study is the second of two designed to identify and measure the most significant personal changes of RYLA. Specifically, this study aims to measure and confirm the results of the first study, which aimed to identify the key areas of change for participants in the way they think about, and respond, to life events following RYLA.

If I agree to participate, what will I be required to do?

If you agree to participate in this study you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire on three occasions: before RYLA, immediately after RYLA and about 3 months following RYLA. It is expected that the each questionnaire will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. You may also be invited to participate in a focus group discussion in 2010. Details of the focus groups will be provided in 2010 when invitations are distributed.

What are the risks or disadvantages associated with participation?

Participating in this study should pose few, if any, risks to you outside your normal daily activities.

What are the benefits associated with participation?

While there may not be any direct benefit to you as a result of participating in this study, your involvement will contribute to a greater understanding of the benefits of RYLA and may help improve future RYLA’s and other similar programs.

Security of the website

Users should be aware that the World Wide Web is an insecure public network that gives rise to the potential risk that a user’s transactions are being viewed, intercepted or modified by third parties or that data which the user downloads may contain computer viruses or other defects.

Security of the data

This project will use an external site to create, collect and analyse data collected in a survey format. The site we are using is Survey Monkey. If you agree to participate in this survey, the responses you provide to the survey will be stored on a host server that is used by Survey Monkey. No personal information will be collected in the survey so none will be stored as data. Once we have completed our data collection and analysis, we will import the data we collect to the RMIT server where it will be stored securely for a period of five (5) years. The data on the Survey Monkey host server will then be deleted and expunged.

What will happen to the information I provide?

Your participation in this study will remain anonymous and you will not be personally identified in any publication arising from the study. The information that you provide will only be accessible to the identified researchers or their research assistants and will be retained in secure file-server on the RMIT University computer system. Paper files will be kept in a locked filing cabinet within the Division of Psychology at RMIT University. All information will be kept for 5 years before being destroyed. Any information that you provide can be disclosed to other parties only if (1) it is to protect you or others from harm, (2) a court order is produced, or (3) you provide the researchers with written permission.

The part of the questionnaire that asks for your name and date of birth will be separated from the remaining questions before any analysis is conducted. Note that, since the primary investigator will be attending RYLA this year, an independent person will separate your names from your responses.

What are my rights as a participant?

Participation in this study is on a voluntary basis and you are under no obligation to be involved. You have the right to withdraw your participation at any time, without prejudice. You have the right to have any unprocessed data withdrawn and destroyed, provided it can be reliably identified and you have the right to have any questions answered at any time.

If you are concerned about this, or any other aspect of the project, please contact Tim Edwards-Hart or Dr Andrea Chester as soon as convenient. Tim and Andrea will discuss your concerns with you confidentially and suggest appropriate follow-up, if necessary.

Whom should I contact if I have any questions?

If you have any questions about this study, please do not hesitate to contact Tim Edwards-Hart on 03 9925 7376 during business hours or via email at timothy.edwards-hart@rmit.edu.au.

Yours sincerely

Tim Edwards-Hart
BAppSci(Psy)(Hons), GDipAdolHlthWelf., GradDipBehavSc.

Andrea Chester
PhD, MA, Grad. Dip. Coun. Psych., BA

Any complaints about your participation in this project may be directed to the Executive Officer, RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee, Research & Innovation, RMIT, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, 3001. The telephone number is (03) 9925 2251. Details of the complaints procedure are available at on the Complaints with respect to participation in research at RMIT page.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire can be completed online or by printing a copy and completing by hand. If you choose this option, please bring the completed questionnaire with you to RYLA where one of the RYLA Supporters will give you an envelope to seal it in before giving it to me. This envelope will not be opened until after RYLA is complete.

I'm looking forward to meeting you at RYLA next week,

Tim