Participant Information
Environmental Activism and Social Media
Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Oxford Brookes University
Researcher: Paloma Gil Jimenez, Undergraduate, Email: 19021857@brookes.ac.uk
Supervisor: Ben Kenward, Email: bkenward@brookes.ac.uk, Tel: 01865 482826
Environmental Activism and Social Media
You are invited to participate in a research study on people’s perceptions of social media posts about the environment. Please take time to read the following information carefully.
What is the purpose of the study?
Social engagement on the environment has become more accessible as people decide to take their environmental activities online for the general public to see. The purpose of this study is to look at how people perceive social media posts about the environment.
Why have I been invited to participate?
This study is on adults worldwide aged 18 to 100 who can read English fluently. A total of between 150 and 200 people will be asked to participate via invitations posted on social media.
Do I have to take part?
No. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part you are still free to withdraw unprocessed data at any time before reaching the end of the survey by closing the browser before pressing the 'submit' button or by contacting the researcher anonymously via a Withdraw Consent button that will be displayed on screen after you submit.*.
What will happen to me if I take part?
If you choose to take part in the study, you will be presented with an example of a social media page which you will be asked to look over. This will then be followed by an online questionnaire focusing on determining your opinions on the social media page shown as well as your opinions on civic engagement on the environment. This should take no longer than 15-20 minutes to complete.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
The topic of this study revolves all around environmental problems, which may incite feelings of anxiety in some people, also known as eco-anxiety. If thinking about environmental problems has raised feelings of anxiety, please be aware that research shows that one of the best ways for dealing with eco-anxiety is to take action to make a difference. You can read more about that here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2220561-stressed-about-climate-change-eight-tips-for-managing-eco-anxiety/ Aside from this, the only disadvantage or risk there may be the time spent answering the questionnaire.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
There are no individual benefits to you, but if you chose to take part in this online study then you will be helping us to better understand what people think about alcohol labels. This is useful information as it can inform health campaigns and advice.
The main benefit will be to the researcher who is completing this research as part of their studies in psychology at Oxford Brookes University.
Will what I say in this study be kept confidential?
Yes. You will not be asked to give any information that could be used to identify you personally (e.g., your name, date of birth, IP address). Because answers are fully anonymous, they may be kept indefinitely and shared with the wider research community in a data repository, to aid further research. Anonymity will be ensured in the collection, storage, and publication of research material (subject to legal limitations).
What should I do if I want to take part?
If you would like to take part, please click on the Continue to Questionnaire button at the bottom of this page before proceeding.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results of this study will be written up and submitted as a piece of work to fulfil the requirements of a module at Oxford Brookes University. The results may also be published in an academic journal, presented at a conference or used for future research or teaching on the topic.
Who has reviewed this study?
This research is being conducted by a Psychology student at Oxford Brookes University as part of the requirement for their course. The study procedures have been reviewed and approved by the Psychology Research Ethics Committee, Oxford Brookes University. If you have any concerns about how the study has been conducted, please contact the Psychology Research Ethics Officer, Dr Emma Davies, on edavies@brookes.ac.uk
Contact for Further Information
Please contact the researcher or their supervisor (contact details above) if you would like any further information about this study.
If you wish to obtain a summary of the findings when they have been written up please e-mail Paloma Gil Jimenez at 19021857@brookes.ac.uk after May 2022.
Thank you for taking time to read the information sheet.
01/12/2021
I have read the information above and I consent voluntarily to be a participant in this study.
