You are being invited to take part in a research project. Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being undertaken and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others, if you wish.
1. What is the purpose of this research project?
This is an undergraduate student dissertation project. This study intends to analyse representations of mental illness in the popular crime drama television show Criminal Minds, in order to determine if such representations are negative. Following this, another aim of this study is to determine if these representations have an impact on audiences of Criminal Minds and how they interpret mental illness as consequence of watching the show. This study will also further consider if these negative representations have a large impact on society as a result, as well as how those with mental illness view themselves too.
2. Why have I been invited to take part?
You have been invited because you have watched Criminal Minds, and have actively participated in discussion on the show prior to this study through fan-based forum websites. You are over 18 years of age, and have opinions on how Criminal Minds represents mental illness, and are happy to detail them for this study.
3. Do I have to take part?
No, your participation in this research project is entirely voluntary and it is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you decide to take part, we will discuss the research project with you [and ask you to sign a consent form]. If you decide not to take part, you do not have to explain your reasons and it will not affect your legal rights.
You are free to withdraw your consent to participate in the research project at any time, without giving a reason, even after signing the consent form.
4. What will taking part involve?
This research will be conducted between January-February, 2021. You will therefore be involved in this project for, at the most, a month. Initially, once interested in participating in this research, you will be sent a consent form and the questionnaire. You will have the full length of time from receiving the questionnaire until the 15th February to complete it and sign the consent forms and send it back to the researcher. You may take as long as you require to complete the questionnaire, but if completed sooner than the 15th, please send it over to the researcher. Once the questionnaire is completed, you will be finished as a participant for this study.
5. Will I be paid for taking part?
No. You should understand that any data you give will be as a gift and you will not benefit financially in the future should this research project lead to the development of a new treatment/method/test/assessment.
6. What are the possible benefits of taking part? There will be no direct advantages or benefits to you from taking part, but your contribution will help us understand much about how Criminal Minds represents mental illness within its episodes, which will be highly beneficial in analysing this representation's overall effect.
7. What are the possible risks of taking part?
There is a chance, if you have or know someone with mental illness, that conducting this questionnaire may raise certain sensitive or triggering topics that have a small psychological risk to you as a participant. Please note that any questions asked within the questionnaire that you do not wish to answer can be left blank; you may also withdraw yourself from the research if you start to feel any level of anxiety or stress that may be harmful to you.
If you ever feel you are at risk to yourself or others, pleased be reminded of these numbers which you can call at any time to speak to a mental health care professional: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) The Samaritans: (877) 870-4673 (HOPE) These numbers can be called at any time and from any region, if you need to speak to someone about your own mental health and wellbeing.
8. Will my taking part in this research project be kept confidential?
All information collected from (or about) you during the research project will be kept confidential and any personal information you provide will be managed in accordance with data protection legislation. Please see "What will happen to my Personal Data?' (below) for
In exceptional cases, the research team may be legally and/or professionally required to over- ride confidentiality and to disclose information obtained from (or about) you to statutory bodies or relevant agencies. For example, this might arise where the research team has reason to believe that there is a risk to your safety, or the safety of others. Where appropriate, the research team will aim to notify you of the need to break confidentiality.
9. What will happen to my Personal Data?
Your personal data will remain anonymous and confidential only between yourself and the researcher. No details of your name, date of birth or email, which will be the only information asked from you when completing the consent form, will be shared with anyone else other than the researcher. Once your data is collected, it will be assigned a research project number in order to keep it anonymised. If you do, however, wish to be identified within the study by name, please state this on the online survey when filling it out for the study.