Participant Information sheet – Interviews (Households)

Principal Investigator: Professor Mark Gabbay

You have been invited to take part in a research study conducted by the University of Liverpool. Before you decide whether 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 through the following information carefully, and ask questions if you require more information or if there is anything that you do not understand. Please also feel free to discuss this with friends or relatives if you wish. We would like to stress that you do not have to accept this invitation and should only agree to take part if you want to.

1. What is the purpose of the study?

This study is part of a wider study titled ‘Responding to the risk of COVID -19’, led by Professor Mark Gabbay.

The purpose of this study is to explore people’s perceptions of COVID-19 risks and the effects of the COVID-19 social distancing directives on people, communities, employers and services in the Liverpool City Region.

2. Why have I been chosen to take part?

You have been invited to take part in this study because you recently, kindly, participated in a survey with a researcher from the University of Liverpool and indicated that you would be happy for another researcher from the University of Liverpool to contact you about this study.

3. Do I have to take part?

Participation is entirely voluntary. There will be no consequences or disadvantages for not participating.

4. What will happen if I take part?

Participation involves taking part in a telephone or online (e.g. zoom or Microsoft Teams) interview using audio and possibly video technology if you are happy to do so. This interview will last approximately 60 minutes and will be audio recorded, transcribed, and then the audio recording will be deleted. Prior to interview, you

will be asked to read and sign (or type) into an electronic consent form and give verbal consent to take part in the study, which will be audio recorded. If you do not have the facilities to complete the electronic consent form you will still be able to participate by providing verbal consent only. During the interview, you will be asked about your views on the risks of COVID-19 and about your experiences of COVID-19 and the current social distancing directives and advice to reduce its spread.

At the end of the interview you will be asked if you would like to continue into a second phase of the study, which would involve you collecting photographic images over a four-week period and taking part in a further interview with a researcher from the University of Liverpool or just taking part in a follow up interview four weeks after your initial interview. Taking part in the initial interview for this study does not put you under any obligation to take part in the second phase. Should you wish to take part in the second phase, you will be provided with further information about what would be involved, after your first interview.

5. How will my data be collected and used?

The University processes personal data as part of its research and teaching activities in accordance with the lawful basis of ‘public task’, and in accordance with the University’s purpose of “advancing education, learning and research for the public benefit.”

Under UK data protection legislation, the University acts as the Data Controller for personal data collected as part of the University’s research. Professor Mark Gabbay will act as the Data Processor for this study, and any queries relating to the handling of your personal data can be sent to Professor Mark Gabbay (email address to be added).

6. Will my data be kept confidential?

Anything you say will be kept confidential and stored anonymously.

The only exception to this would be if the interview revealed a significant risk of harm to yourself or others. In the unlikely event that this should happen, due to our duty of care to you, in extreme cases it may be necessary to breach the confidentiality of this study and inform an appropriate health professional of our concerns. This would include cases where the specific intent to hurt yourself or others had been made clear. This would only be done after discussion with you first.

Further information on how your data will be used can be found below:

Q.) How will my data be collected? A.) The data will be collected through telephone or online interviews. Interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed, and then audio recordings will be deleted. Audio recordings of verbal consent will be stored on a password protected secure network drive at the University of Liverpool for a period of 10 years.

Q.) How will my data be stored? A.) Data will be stored on a password protected secure network drive at the University of Liverpool.

Q.) How long will my data be stored for? A.) The data will be securely stored for a period of 10 years by Professor Mark Gabbay.

Q.) What measures are in place to protect the security of my data? A.) All data will be stored securely on a password protected network drive at the University of Liverpool, and Professor Mark Gabbay will safeguard all data access. We will give individual participants pseudonyms if we use any direct quotations from interviews in our publications, and will take care to ensure that any quotations presented could not accidently identify you.

Q.) Will my data be anonymised? A.) Yes. Any details provided during the course of the interview that might identify you will be changed to ensure your anonymity.

Q.) ho will have access to my data? A.) Only members of the research team working under the direction of Professor Mark Gabbay will have access to the data.

Q.) Will my data be made available for use in other research projects in the future? A.) Yes. Your data will be retained in an anonymised format for possible use in future projects.

Q.) How will my data be destroyed? A.) After a period of 10 years, Professor Mark Gabbay will ensure that all data are deleted from the protected secure network drive at the University of Liverpool.

7. Are there any risks in taking part?

Occasionally people find it distressing to talk about current difficulties. If you become distressed during the interview, the researcher will check if you wish to continue. At any point during the interview, you can ask for it to be stopped altogether, or you can have a break, or you can ask for the audio-recorder to be switched off. If appropriate, the researcher may suggest that you contact your GP for further support.

8. Are there any benefits in taking part?

There are no direct benefits to you from taking part. The findings from this research project will help inform responses to this and future public health crises.

9. What will happen to the results of the study?

The results will be published in an academic journal and a report will be produced.

A summary of the study findings will be sent to you via e-mail.

10. What will happen if I want to stop taking part?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any point without any explanation or consequences.

11. What if I am unhappy or if there is a problem?

If you are unhappy, or if there are any problems, please contact Professor Mark Gabbay in the first instance. If you remain unhappy or have a complaint which you feel you cannot address to Professor Mark Gabbay please contact the Research Ethics and Integrity Office at ethics@liv.ac.uk. When contacting the Research Ethics and Integrity Office, please include details of the name or description of the study (found at the top of this information sheet), the researcher(s) involved, and the details of the complaint you wish to make.

The University strives to maintain the highest standards of rigour in the processing of your data. However, if you have any concerns about the way in which the University processes your personal data, it is important that you are aware of your right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioners Office by calling 0303 123 1113.

12. Who can I contact if I have further questions?

Please do not hesitate and feel free to contact any of our researchers if you wish to ask any further questions.

Lead Researcher

Name: Kerry Hanna

University of Liverpool

E-mail: k.hanna2@liverpool.ac.uk

Tel: 0151 794 9797

Principal Investigator

Professor Mark Gabbay

University of Liverpool.

E-mail: mbg@liverpool.ac.uk

Thank you again for taking the time to read through this information sheet and for considering the request to participate in this study