I would like to invite you to take part in my research study about the experience of postgraduate students as Christians at universities in England. It has been reviewed by the Social Sciences & Humanities Interdivisional Research Ethics Committee of the University of Oxford (reference number: ED-CIA-21-232).

 

Before you decide, it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what it would involve for you. Please take time to read this information, and discuss it with others if you wish. If there is anything that is not clear, or if you would like more information, please ask me.

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The study consists of an online survey and of qualitative interviews. My intention is to interview in-person where possible. However,  Covid-19 regulations, or participants' personal preference might affect this, and some interviews may be carried out online. 

 

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of the study is to understand how Christian students navigate their faith and relationships in the university environment. I would like to understand how they fit into the wider culture of the University, whether they experience negative treatment as a result of the religious identity, and what positive effects their faith might have on their student experience.  

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Do I have to take part?

• No. Taking part is entirely voluntary.

• You may withdraw at any point if you have changed your mind, without giving a reason.

 

What will happen to me if I decide to take part?

• You will fill out the online survey included on this site. This will take about 15 minutes.

• You will be given the chance to take part in a prize draw for a £100 book voucher. (The prize draw took place in June 2022)

• You may decide to further participate through an interview.

• You will be offered a hot or cold drink of your choice at interview.

 

Are there any possible disadvantages or risks from taking part?

There are no known disadvantages or risks from taking part in the study. Your information will be kept strictly confidential and encrypted. You will not be identifiable in any of the material that is going to be analysed or published.

 

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

• You may feel like you have been able to share your thoughts and feelings about a subject matter potentially important for you. You will have contributed to our knowledge and understanding of the Christian student experience which might benefit future students in their university experience.

 

Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?

·       All audio recordings - in case of interviews - will be stored on an encrypted drive. They will not be uploaded into a cloud or server. Transcriptions will be stored on the internal server of the University of Oxford, not accessible to anyone apart from the researcher.

·       All files – recorded and written - will be saved under pseudonyms. Identification will be kept confidential on a separate, securely stored drive with no access to it (password encrypted) for anyone apart from myself. This information will be kept for three years after the publication of the findings of this research, according to University of Oxford guidelines. The identifiers will be kept up to this point in order to be able to contact participants for clarification or consent, should it be deemed necessary at a later stage in the study.

• Responsible members of the University of Oxford may be given access to data for monitoring and/or audit of the study to ensure that the research is complying with applicable regulations.

 

Will I be reimbursed for taking part?

• There is no financial reimbursement available for your participation.

• However, you may enter a £100 book voucher prize draw if you fill in the survey if you filled it in before June 2022.

• If you are interviewed in person, you will be offered a hot or cold drink to make your time more enjoyable at interview.

 

What will happen to my data?

• As stated above, your data will not be identifiable and will be destroyed upon relevant deadlines have passed. It will not at any point be shared with a third party.

• You may update your personal data at any time by contacting the researcher of this study.

• Research data will be deleted after 3 years of completion/publication of the study. It must be retained for a minimum of 3 years for potential checks of integrity, due to regulation and for potential further research. Should the project be extended, data may be kept for longer, but only as long as absolutely necessary.

 

What will happen if I don't want to carry on with the study?

• Your participation is voluntary and you may change your mind at a later stage.

• If you decide to withdraw, information collected from you may still be used, unless you specify otherwise.

• Deleting the data you provided from the study will not be possible after the 31st of August, 2022.

 

What will happen to the results of this study?

Any report or publication of the results of this study will be strictly anonymous and you shall not be identifiable in any way.

The research findings might be published in academic journals and potentially be presented at conferences.

If you are interested in the results of the study, please provide your email address so I can contact you later and provide you with a link or document.

 

What if there is a problem?

• The University of Oxford, as Sponsor, has appropriate insurance in place in the unlikely event that you suffer any harm as a direct consequence of your participation in this study.

• If you wish to complain about any aspect of the way in which you have been approached or treated during the course of this study, please contact me through the form on this website. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may turn to Departmental Research Ethics Committee at student.curec@education.ox.ac.uk.

 

Who has reviewed the study?

This study has been reviewed and given favourable opinion by Social Sciences & Humanities Interdivisional Research Ethics Committee (SSH IDREC)

                                                           

Further information please contact Szilvi Watson through the form on this website.

 

Thank you for reading this information.