RESEARCH INFORMATION SHEET
Ethical Clearance: CCJ/01/15HREC
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice & School of Information, Communication &
Technology
TITLE OF STUDY:
An Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) of Fear
of Crime and its Effect on Attitudes Towards Safety:
An Exploratory Study
INVESTIGATORS:
Dr. Timothy Hart (PhD – Chief Investigator)
Dr. Jolon Faicheny (PhD – Chief Investigator)
Mr. Michael Chataway (BPsychSc/BCCJHons1 –
Student Investigator)
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER:
Dr. Timothy Hart: (07) 555 27052
What is the purpose of this survey?
You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by the School of Criminology and Criminal
Justice, Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus). The purpose of the current study is to investigate the
use of mobile devices to collect information about fear of crime and attitudes about personal safety.
How was I selected for this survey?
You are being asked to participate in this study because you are currently a student at Griffith
University. All current students were contacted regarding this study and asked to volunteer.
What do I have to do?
Your participation is voluntary. If you choose to take part in this study, you will be asked to complete a
short survey on your mobile device. The survey will only take approximately 3 minutes to complete.
Data collected for this study will remain completely confidential, thus protecting your identity.
What are the benefits of this research?
There may be no direct benefits to you as a participant in this study. However, findings from the
current research will give the investigators valuable insight into the feasibility of using mobile devices
as a data collection platform to collect information on individuals’ fear of crime and attitudes towards
crime.
Are there any risks involved with this research?
There is risk involved in all research. However, the current study only includes minimal risks. For
example, you may feel uncomfortable in responding to a particular question. Therefore, you are free to
not respond to any questions that may cause you discomfort. In the event that this was to occur, you
can skip the question on your mobile device.
You are also able to discontinue any survey that you’ve started without completing it; and/or withdraw
from the study at any time. In the event that this was to occur you must delete the app from your
mobile device. This will stop the app from prompting you to complete a questionnaire.
In the event that you experience any distress associated with this survey, you can contact the following
free counselling services: Beyond Blue on (07) 5442 4277, LifeLine (24/7) on 13 11 14, Crisis
Counselling Service (QLD) on 1300 363 622. University students can access free counselling services
by visiting your campus student services building or visiting the following website:
http://www.griffith.edu.au/counselling/for-students.
Does this research have any costs associated with participation?
There is no direct financial cost to participate in the current study. However, by participating in the
study you will be returning a completed survey back to the research team. Sending a completed survey
will result in a very small amount of mobile data being used by your mobile device; however, any cost
associated with data usage is at your own expense.
How does the APP Work?
Once a user has subscribed to the survey, the app waits for a triggering event (i.e., when you enter a
specific geographic location). After the survey’s event trigger has fired, you will be instructed to begin
the survey on fear of crime. The survey app will guide you through a series of screens, each containing
survey questions and spaces for answers. After completion of the survey, your survey data will be
returned to a secure data server located at Griffith University.
Can my device be detected?
Yes. The current survey utilises location services that are already installed on your device. When you
enter a specific geographic area you will be asked to participate in the survey. As this is a voluntary
study, you may wish to not complete a survey once you enter an area and are “pushed or pinged” the
survey by the app. In the event that you do not wish to or are unable to participate, just ignore the
notification on your phone, or alternatively, delete the app from your device.
Who can I contact if I would like further information about this study?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this research, please contact the investigators, Dr.
Timothy C. Hart (email: [email protected]; PH: (07) 555 27052). Alternatively, questions can be
directed to Mr. Michael Chataway (investigator) via email: [email protected].
If you have any specific ethical concerns or complaints about the ethical conduct of the research, please
contact the Manager of Research Ethics at Griffith University on 3735 4375 or [email protected].
Is this Student Research?
Data collected from the current study may be used in support of a broader study on fear of crime,
currently being conducted by one of our School’s doctoral students.
Do I have to participate?
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You may refuse to participate in this study or in
any part of this study. You may withdraw at any time without prejudice to your relations with the
university.
Will information I provide be confidential?
All information gathered through this study will remain confidential. No reference will be made in
written or oral materials that could link you to this study. All records of the study will be stored on a
secure computer at a locked facility on Griffith University’s Gold Coast Campus for a 5-year period.
After this time, the information gathered will be destroyed.
As this app collects geographic/location-based data, your location services may be used to detect the
location of your device. You must consent to this before you can participate in the current survey
(please make sure you read the terms and condition of the app carefully).
Can I have access to the results of the study?
Results of the study will be made available to participants at their request. After you complete the
survey you can type your email address to stay in contact for any information about the results of the
study.
PARTICIPANT CONSENT
The conduct of this research involves the collection, access and/ or use of your identified personal
information (i.e., your devices location services). The information collected is confidential and will not
be disclosed to third parties without your consent, except to meet government, legal or other regulatory
authority requirements. A de-identified copy of this data may be used for other research purposes.
However, your anonymity will at all times be safeguarded. For further information consult the
University Privacy Plan at http://www.griffith.edu.au/about-griffith/plans-publications/griffithuniversity-privacy-plan or telephone (07) 3735 4375.
If you would like to participate in this study, please complete the questionnaire when prompted. A
completed questionnaire will be returned to us automatically, once it is completed and you click
‘Submit’.
Thank you for your participation and time.