Participant Information Sheet
Helping us to understand how we can engage and maintain older adults in exercise classes.
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether or not you would like to participate 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 information sheet carefully and to discuss it with others if you wish. Please contact the research team if there is anything which is not clear or if you would like more information (contact details are available at the end of the information sheet). Please remember that if you consent to participate, you can withdraw at any time.
This information sheet has been divided into two parts, please read part 1 first. If you are still interested in participating in the study after reading part 1, then please read part 2 for more detail about the conduct of the study.
PART 1
What is the purpose of the study?
This questionnaire is part of a wider study looking at how we can engage and maintain older adults in exercise classes. It is expected that this research will enable us to improve the uptake and maintenance of classes by older adults. At the moment we do not know how many instructors are delivering exercise classes to older people in the U.K nor what types of classes they are delivering. We also know nothing about the characteristics of instructors who deliver exercise to older adults. Initially we would like to find out more about this. We might want to contact you again and ask you if we can approach the attendees of your classes and ask them about their attitudes and beliefs about exercise. Just because you complete this questionnaire does not mean you have to be involved in any further research. This is entirely your decision and you will be asked at the end of the questionnaire whether you wish to be involved any further in the study. If you consent, this will simply enable us to send you further information on a second study, it does not mean that you have to participate.
Why have I been chosen?
We are writing to instructors who are qualified to deliver group exercise sessions to older adults in the U.K. This is so that we know how many instructors are delivering across the UK and what types of classes you are delivering. This also gives us the chance to get a broad range of instructor's views.
Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason.
If you do decide to help us, please complete the questionnaire online or return the enclosed questionnaire in the pre-paid envelope. We will take this as your consent to take part in the study. We have also asked at the end of the questionnaire whether you would be happy for us to contact you again in the future. You can still take part at this stage but decline future contact if you wish to.
What will happen to me if I take part and what do I have to do?
All you have to do is complete the enclosed questionnaire and send it back to us in the self addressed and stamped envelope or follow the link on the University of Manchester webpage and complete the questionnaire online. This should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. There is nothing else to do. Your training provider may send you repeat information on the study as you are not identifiable to us. If this is the case, please ignore this if you have completed the questionnaire or you do not feel that you want to complete the questionnaire. If you have indicated that you are happy for us to contact you again then we may send you further information about the second part of the study and ask if you would like to be involved.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
The only disadvantage is the time it takes to complete the questionnaire. None of the questions in the questionnaire are very personal and are mostly asking information about your classes.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
It is hoped that this research will enable us to improve the uptake and maintenance of classes by older adults, though there is no guarantee of this. This may lead to increased support given to exercise instructors in their delivery of classes to older adults.
What if there is a problem?
Any complaint about the way you have been dealt with during the study will be addressed. A more detailed explanation is given in part 2.
Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?
Yes, we will follow ethical and legal practice and all information about you will be handled with confidence. The details are included in Part 2.
PART 2
What if something goes wrong?
If you wish to complain, or have any concerns about any aspect of the way you have been approached or treated during the course of this study, you should ask to speak to the researchers who will do their best to answer any questions. If you remain unhappy then you can contact Dr Ann Caress on 0161 3067818 at the University of Manchester. This study is covered by insurance through the University of Manchester.
Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?
As the training providers or Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) have sent out the information for this study, we have had no access to your personal details (including names and addresses). All the information which is collected about you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. If you have completed the online survey and chosen to leave your details so that you can be contacted again your details are fully protected by the university systems and only accessible by the research team. Identifiable information will not be shared between instructors or with training providers. You will not be identifiable in any report or publication. No personal or named information will be sent to your training providers and when we analyse the results all information will be anonymous and treated in strict confidence. All data are processed by computer in accordance with the University of Manchester's registration under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the University's policy ensuring compliance with Department of Health Research Governance Framework for Health & Social Care (2001).
What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results will be written up as part of a report and results may be published in journals. However, you will not be identified in any report or publication. A summary of the findings from the research will be accessible on School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester website in the future. If you would like a copy of the results but do not have access to the internet we are happy to send you a copy and you can request this information from the lead researcher whose details are below. A summary of the results will be sent out through your training provider and through the Register of Exercise Professionals Enzine, once the research is completed.
Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is being carried out as part of a Strategic PHD Studentship and the Medical Research Council and the University of Manchester are funding the research.
Who has reviewed the study?
All research within the university is looked at by an independent group of people, called a Research Ethics Committee. This is to protect your safety, rights, well-being and dignity. This study has been reviewed by the University of Manchester Committee on the Ethics of Research on Human Beings.
Contact for further information
Lead Researcher
Helen Hawley
The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work
The University of Manchester
University Place
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
Email: Helen.Hawley@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
Tel: 07810 358568
Professor Chris Todd
The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work
The University of Manchester
University Place
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
Tel: 0161 3067865
Dr Dawn Skelton
The School of Health and Social Care
Glasgow Caledonian University
Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow
G4 0BA
Tel: 0141 3318792
Thank you for your time in reading this information sheet.