A participant must be informed about the purpose, methods and intended possible uses of the research, what their participation will involve and what risks, if any, they might encounter. This detail enables them to make an informed decision about whether or not they want to take part in your research. Provide your participants with a suitable Participant Information Sheet and Agreement Form, allowing sufficient time for a participant to reflect/ask questions before they agree to take part. Participation should be voluntary and free from coercion.
Make sure you read the associated ‘How to prepare your participant information sheet….’ guidance
There are a number of templates available (see sections below) – please download the templates that are appropriate to you and the research project you will be undertaking.
Participant Information Sheet and Agreement Form Templates for use by undergraduate and postgraduate taught students
Participant Information Sheet Templates for use by staff and postgraduate research students
Participant Information Sheets for an online survey/questionnaire (for use by Staff and Postgraduate Researchers)
Participant Agreement Form Templates (general use by staff and postgraduate researchers)
Examples of Information Sheets/Assent Forms for children (when recruiting children as research participants)
Deputy Deans for Research & Professional Practice
Remember ....
Depending on your research, you may need to consider using a number of different forms or adapted version of the forms as follows:
- Participant Information Sheet – Adults
- Participant Information Sheet – Children/Young People
- Parent/Guardian Information Sheet
- Agreement form for Adults
- Agreement form for parent/guardians
- Assent form (for children/young people who are agreeing to take part (under 16)).
When involving children with a wide age range, it might be appropriate to provide separate PI Sheets for the different age groups. Always tailor your PI Sheet to the participant.
Research activities such as data collection should not commence until your ethics checklist (including participant information/agreement forms if relevant) has been reviewed and your checklist approved online.