Before you decide to take part in this study, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take the time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. A member of the research team can be contacted if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part.
Purpose
The purpose of the investigation is to find out more about why people have children or why they decide not to, or why if they have children already they decide to have another child.
Who can participate?
To participate you must be at least 18 years old and we are interested in your opinions regardless of your gender, sexual identity or relational status.
Requirements
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires, which are mostly multiple choice. For example: The rewards of being a parent are worth it, despite the cost and the work it takes: 1 = Strongly disagree; 2 = Partially disagree; 3 = Neither agree nor disagree; 4 = Partially agree; 5 = Strongly agree.
Duration
Your participation in our study by completing the questionnaire will take about 15 minutes.
Potential benefits
It is hoped the current research will improve understanding of family formation processes in an inclusive way, that is, independently of gender or sexual identity and relational status. We plan to look at differences between EU countries (the UK, Portugal and Spain) and this is the first study to do this.
Potential risks Taking part in this study is highly unlikely to compromise the psychological and/or physical well-being of participants. However, if you do find any of the questions are too personal or distressing or have any other concerns please feel free to stop doing the survey and contact the research team if you wish (Research Contact details below).
What will happen to the results of the research project?
The data gathered by the researchers may be presented at academic conferences and/or submitted for publication in scientific journals. However, data presented will not identify any person, but instead will be shown in aggregate (i.e., group) form.
Anonymity/Confidentiality
All of the information that is gathered in this study will remain totally anonymous and be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The survey is maintained on a secure website and the collected data can only be accessed by using a password. None of the questions asked request information that will identify you.
Right to withdraw
Your participation in this research is completely voluntary. It is your choice whether to take part or not, if you decide to participate you may stop participating and leave the questionnaire unfinished.
Ethical approval
The project has received ethical approval from the Department of Psychological Sciences Research Ethics Committee of Birkbeck University of London.
Clicking on the “I agree” button indicates that:
| I am at least 18 years of age. | I Agree |
| The study has been explained to me. | I Agree |
| I have understood that all of the information gathered will remain anonymous and be treated with confidentiality. | I Agree |
| I accept the conditions of this study and willingly agree to take part. | I Agree |
Researchers contact
The research is being conducted by Dr. Fiona Tasker in the Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London and Dr. Jorge Gato in the Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Portugal. If you have any questions about this study, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Jorge Gato, Associate Research Fellow, Email: ubjgat001@bbk.ac.uk, Phone 07456497209 or Dr. Fiona Tasker, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, Email f.tasker@bbk.ac.uk, Phone 20 7631 6207.