TO: Participant
Plain Language Statement
Date: 29 June 2022
Full Project Title: COVID-19 Recovery Scenarios for Young People
Principal Researcher: Professor Peter Kelly and Dr Seth Brown
Student Researcher:
Associate Researcher(s): Mr James Goring
In this document you will find further details about the research project, including what Deakin University calls a Plain Language Statement and Consent Form – which you will need to read this document, and provide consent if you wish to participate in this research.
The Problem
The world is currently in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic that is yet to run its epidemiological course. The current, exponentially rising human toll is tragic and devastating. Many parts of the global economy are in crisis, and the variety of government, business and community responses to the crises hint at their scale and possible duration.
Historically, we know that young people carry a particularly heavy burden in the downstream of crises: in terms of their health and well-being, their engagement in education and training, and their transitions into work. We also know that certain places will be more heavily impacted by these crises, certain labour market sectors will be more heavily hit, and certain populations of young people are more at risk in relation to these challenges.
The Project
You are invited to take part in the research project COVID-19 Recovery Scenarios for Young People.
Please read this information carefully. Ask questions about anything that you don’t understand or want to know more about. Before deciding whether or not to take part, you might want to talk about it with a relative or friend.
Participation in this research is voluntary. If you don’t wish to take part, you don’t have to. If you decide you want to take part in the research project, please contact the key stakeholder for the link to Video-ask (https://www.videoask.com). By clicking the link, you are telling us that you:
- Understand what you have read
- Consent to take part in the research project
What is the purpose of this research?
The COVID-19 research project aims to examine the key challenges – in the short, medium and longer term future – facing particular populations of young people in particular places and produce research informed, place based scenarios for young people’s sustainable futures. The project will deliver evidence informed solutions to these challenges. We will work with academic, community, business, Third Sector, and government stakeholders in developing innovative scenarios in relation to identified situations, challenges, and possible futures.
Who is organising and funding the research?
The research has been funded by the Anthony Costa Foundation for the sum of $105,000AUD over 3 years, and initiated by the researchers, Dr. Seth Brown and Professor Peter Kelly.
Past iterations of this research project have also been funded by the Inner Northern Local Learning and Employment Network (INLLEN) for the sum of $15,000AUD.
What does participation in this research involve?
You have been sent an initial invitation to participate in this project because you are within the ages of 16-24 and live in the City of Greater Geelong and have contact with one of the key stakeholders in the Geelong Region Local Learning and Employment Network (GRLLEN) and/or Skilling the Bay.
When you click on the link provided to you, it will take you to Video-ask. Video-ask is a video/audio capture platform that will allow us to interview you. The platform enables ‘asynchronous (not existing or occurring at the same time) video conversations’ where our research team develop set sequences of text, video/audio prompts/questions. You will have a short time to respond in a ‘piece to camera’ format via Video-ask, before that data is sent to the Video-ask server. You will be asked to provide contact details and consent for use of your submission for the project. The interviews will include topics of COVID-19 including your wellbeing and your thoughts about changes to the economy, work, education, and politics. You will be asked the following questions.
1. My life at the moment
Can you tell us about how you view your life at the moment? This could include covering some or all of the issues/questions below.
- Are you doing what you want to do? Would you like to be doing something different?
- Are you generally happy or satisfied with your life? What are some of the things that make you happy or satisfied?
- Would you say that you are unhappy, dissatisfied, or anxious a lot of the time? What are some of the things that make you unhappy, dissatisfied, or anxious a lot of the time?
- Do you feel connected to the world around you – through family, friends, community organisations such as sporting, arts, music or outdoor clubs?
- Or do you tend to feel a bit isolated, disconnected or alone in your daily life?
2. Share a story about a key episode, event, person, place, good time, bad time in your life
We are interested in knowing a bit about how you got to this point in your life. Not necessarily your whole life, but to hear about some of the episodes, events, people, and places that have shaped you as a person. And, the good times and bad times that have got you to this point.
In order to do this, take some time to think about one key episode, event, person, or place that you would like to tell us about. It is a good idea to write down a couple of notes about what you would like to say, and how you are going to say it. You can tell this story in any way that you like, but the more detail that you can provide the better.
3. My life in the future
We want to know a little about your hopes and aspirations for your future?
We want to know a little about your hopes and aspirations for your future. When you think about answering here you might consider the following questions with a brief response.
- Where do you hope to be living, working or studying in 5 years time?
- What job or further education would you like to be doing in 5 years time?
- What skills and/or work and life experiences do you think you will need to have developed to be doing that job or that course?
- How sure are you about being able to do the things that you really want to do in 5 years time?
- If you aren’t so sure about whether you will do these things, can you think about what kinds of support would help you get there?
4. Is there anything that you would like to say to other young people or leaders in our community?
This is an opportunity for you to say something about your life, and the things that you care about, to some people who have influence in the organisations that are there to support you.
5) Additional Information about you
- Age?
- Address – Which suburb do you live in?
- Gender – male / female / non-binary / trans / inter-sex / questioning / prefer not to say?
- Do you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander?
- Do you come from a Culturally or linguistically diverse background?
- Your Education status
- Your Employment status
- Your Housing status
- Are you living with a disability?
- Are you registered under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?
Do I have to take part in this project?
Participation in any research project is voluntary. If you do not wish to take part, you do not have to. If you decide to take part and later change your mind, you are free to withdraw from the project at any stage.
Your decision whether to take part or not to take part, or to take part and then withdraw, will not affect your relationship with the researchers or with Deakin University.
You will be asked to confirm your consent to participate at the beginning of the interview by ticking the box ‘I have read and understood the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form, and freely agree to participate’. And by submitting your completed Video-ask interview is an indication of your consent to participate in the study. You may stop the interview at any time. Unless you say that you want us to keep them, any recordings will be erased and information you have provided will not be included in the study results. You may also refuse to answer any questions that you do not wish to answer during the interview.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
We cannot guarantee or promise that you will receive any benefits from this research; however, you may appreciate contributing to knowledge. Possible benefits may include improved services supporting young people in the city of Greater Geelong.
What are the risks and disadvantages of taking part?
This project will use Videoask.com to create and collect interview data. If you agree to participate in this interview, the responses you provide will be video recorded. Personal information will be collected in the interviews and stored as data on the Video-ask server. We will import the data to the Deakin server where it will be stored securely and used for this project and future research. We will use these video recordings in various public forms that may mean you are identifiable.
The project and the questions asked of participants, carry a low risk of psychological harm. However, If you do feel that some of the questions or themes are stressful or upsetting, and you do not wish to respond or contribute, you may stop immediately. If you become upset or distressed as a result of your participation in the research project, we will provide your contact details to the Geelong Regional LLEN. The GRLLEN will contact you and connect you with the appropriate support service for you. You may also wish to contact these services directly. Some examples include:
Bethany COVID-19 Support Line (Barwon & Warrnambool regions) – Anxiety and stress Support line – 1300 655 598
Lifeline Australia – 24/7 Telephone counselling – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 24/7 Telephone counselling – 1300 224 636
What if I withdraw from this research project?
If you do consent to participate, you may withdraw at any time. If you decide to withdraw from the project, please notify a member of the research team.
What happens when the research project ends?
We will provide project updates on our website and social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram and Youtube including posting edited versions of particular videos of interviews with young people. You will also receive a scenario planning report at the completion of the project.
The analysis of your interviews and others will be used in a number of workshops convened by GRLLEN and/or Skilling the Bay to develop scenarios about young people’s sustainable futures in your community. We may use the interview data for publication and/or presented in a variety of forums.
The research project involves the establishment of a permanent databank of video interviews. Additional use of the information is contemplated in the next year, when you will be invited to participate in a follow-up interview. Again, your consent will be sought from you for the follow-up interview by clicking on the link to Video-ask.
What will happen to information about me?
It is anticipated that the results of this research project will be published and/or presented in a variety of forums. In accordance with relevant Australian and/or Victorian privacy and other relevant laws, you have the right to request access to the information about you that is collected and stored by the research team. You also have the right to request that any information with which you disagree be corrected. Please inform the research team member named at the end of this document if you would like to access your information.
Any information that you provide can be disclosed only if (1) it protects you or others from harm, (2) if specifically allowed by law, (3) you provide the researchers with permission. Any information obtained for the purpose of this research project and for the future research will be identifiable.
All digital data produced will be stored on the password-protected Deakin server with standard Deakin security applied. Audio recordings, notes/transcripts, and documents, etc. collected from the Action Research Phases, Interviews, and other meetings will be stored as either paper copies and password protected computer files. All paper copies will be stored in a locked, filing cabinet in the researcher’s office, whilst computer files will be password protected on the researcher’s work computer. The researchers will store the project data on Deakin digital infrastructure. Interview data with participants will be downloaded to a password protected Deakin server by the researchers and kept indefinitely.
Who has reviewed the research project?
All research in Australia involving humans is reviewed by an independent group of people called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). This research project has been approved by the RMIT University HREC and Deakin University HREC. This statement has been developed to protect the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.
Acknowledgement by Participant
I have read and understood the Participant Language Statement.
I understand the purposes, procedures and risks of the research described in the project.
I have had an opportunity to ask questions and I am satisfied with the answers I have received.
I freely agree to participate in this research project as described and understand that I am free to withdraw at any time during the project without affecting my relationship with Deakin University.
If you decide you want to take part in the research project, please contact the key stakeholder for the link to Video-ask (https://www.videoask.com).
Research Contact Person
Professor Peter Kelly
Email: peter.kelly@deakin.edu.au
Telephone Number: +61 3 522 78003
Mailing Address: 75 Pigdons Rd, Geelong – Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus
Complaints
If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any questions about your rights as a research participant, then you may contact:
The Human Research Ethics Office, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood Victoria 3125, Telephone: 9251 7129, research-ethics@deakin.edu.au
Please quote project number 2022-137
PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENT AND CONSENT FORM
TO: Participant
Consent Form
Date: 29 June 2022
Full Project Title: COVID-19 Recovery Scenarios
Reference Number: 2022-137
If you decide you want to take part, you will be asked to give your consent to participate by opening the Video-ask link, by ticking the box, and responding to the interview questions, you are confirming that you:
have read and I understand the attached Plain Language Statement.
freely agree to participate in this project according to the conditions in the Plain Language Statement.
have been given a copy of the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form to keep.
The researcher has agreed not to reveal my identity and personal details, including where information about this project is published, or presented in any public form.
Research Contact Person
Professor Peter Kelly
Email: peter.kelly@deakin.edu.au
Telephone Number: +61 3 522 78003
Mailing Address: 75 Pigdons Rd, Geelong – Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus