ParticipantInformation Sheet
Calculating the on-farm economic costs resulting from an outbreak of sheep scab (Psoroptesovis)
Farmer Questionnaire
Introduction
Iwould like to invite you to take part in myresearch project. Before you decide you need to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve for you. Please take the time to read the following information carefully and ask questions about anything you do not understand. Talk to others about the study if you wish.
What is the purpose of the study?
As part of my Veterinary Medicine undergraduate degree, I am undertaking research into the economic losses associated with an outbreak of sheep scab. Scab is a debilitating disease that has become endemic in sheep farms over the UK in the past 20 years, causing welfare issues for the sheep as well as on-farm losses associated with productivity impacts and treatment/control costs.
If the major economic losses associated with an outbreak of sheep scab can be identified, then it may help to encourage more treatment and control of the disease, leading to better welfare for sheep and reduced losses to the farmer.
Why have I been invited to take part in the study?
You have been invited to take part in this questionnaire because you have responded to the advertisement placed in the NSA magazine, inviting upland and lowland farmers that have had an outbreak of sheep scab in their flock to take part.
Do I have to take part?
No, you do not have to participate. There will be no adverse if you decide not to participate or withdraw at a later stage. You can withdraw your participation at any time. You can request for your data to be withdrawn until publication of the datawithout giving a reason and without prejudice.
As part of the study, any identifiable data will be anonymised, and anonymous data will be used (because we cannot trace the latter information back to you).
What will my involvement require?
If you agree to take part, we will then ask you to sign a consent form. If you do decide to take part you will be given this information sheet to keep and a copy of your signed consent form. My research project runs until May 2018, your involvement will be only for the duration of the questionnaire. There is an option to allow a follow up telephone questionnaire, but this is not compulsory and telephone numbers will be kept confidential and only shared in the research team. The questionnaire should not take more than 30 minutes to complete, and it aims to identify areas of possible economic losses associated with sheep scab.
What will happen to datathat I provide?
Any personal data (e.g. email addresses, names) will not be used in the research project, and any data that identifies you will not be used. Any personal data will not be shared outside the research team. The questionnaire responses do not ask for any personal information that would make you identifiable to others.
Personal data will be handled in accordance with the {UK} Data Protection Act (1998).
What if there is a problem?
Any complaint or concern about any aspect of the way you have been dealt with during the course of the study will be addressed; please contact me, Lucy Carr on the first instance, or my Supervisor in the University of Surrey, Francesca Contadini on . You may also contact Teresa Hollands, who oversees all research projects, on .
Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?
Yes. Your details will be held in complete confidence and we will follow ethical and legal practicein relation to all study procedures.Personal data(names, email addresses etc) will be handled in accordance with the UK Data Protection Act 1998 so that unauthorised individuals will not have access to them.
The questionnaire responses will be anonymised and your personal data will be storedsecurely.You will not be identified in any reports/publications resulting from this research and those reading them will not know who has contributed to it.
Full contact details of researcher and supervisor
Researcher: Lucy Carr
Email:
Internal Supervisor: Francesca Contadini
Email:
Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is organised by the University of Surrey and funded by the University of Surrey. The funder has no conflict of interest.
Who has reviewed the project?
This research has been looked at by an independent group of people, called an Ethics Committee, to protect your interests. This study has been reviewed by and received a favourableethical opinion fromthe Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Ethics Committee.
Thank you for taking the time to read this Information Sheet.
University of Surrey - RIGOPage 1 of 3
Version 11 - 14 July 2015