Participants need to provide consent to be involved in your research. Consent may be expressed orally, in writing or by some other means (for example, return of a survey, or conduct implying consent), depending on:
a) the nature, complexity and level of risk of the research; and
b) the participant's personal and cultural circumstances.
Online questionnaires/survey
You should include this statement in the Participant Information Sheet:
This is an internet-based survey. Every effort will be made to ensure that responses are confidential, however the researcher cannot guarantee the confidentiality or anonymity of material transferred by email or the internet.
You should include this statement at the beginning of the questionnaires/survey:
By completing and submitting the questionnaire/survey, you are indicating that you have read and understood the Participant Information Sheet and give your consent to be involved in the research.
Postal questionnaire/survey
The first page of the questionnaire/survey should state something similar to one of these statements:
Example 1: By completing and submitting the questionnaire/survey, you are indicating that you have read and understood the Participant Information Sheet and give your consent to be involved in the research.
Example 2: By beginning the questionnaire/survey, you acknowledge that you have read the information sheet and agree to participate in this research.
Hard copy forms
Consent forms are used to gain formal, written consent from research participants. When signed consent is required, the Consent Form should be used. A copy of the Participant Information Sheet must be given to each participant who signs a Consent Form.