The Impact of Welfare Reform in Scotland - Tracking Study - Appendices to Sweep 3 Report

APPENDIX 5 PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET

(used for recruitment in Sweep 1)

The Impact of Welfare Reform in Scotland: Information Sheet

You are being invited to take part in a research study. This leaflet explains why the research is being done and what taking part would involve. Please read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part. Thank you for reading this.

What is the Purpose of the study and who is organising it?

The aim of the study is to explore the impact of the welfare changes over time on a range of households in Scotland. The project is being carried out by the Employment Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Stirling on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Why have I been invited to take part in this study?

You have been invited to take part in this study as you have expressed an interest in doing so and because you have direct experience of welfare changes.

Do I have to take part?

It is up to you whether you want to take part. You do not have to give a reason if you do not want to be involved.

What will happen to me if I take part? What do I have to do?

Taking part in the study would involve being interviewed for approximately 30 minutes, twice a year over the next three years, about your experiences of welfare changes. The interviews will take place in:

• September-November 2013
• April-June 2014
• September-November 2014
• April-June 2015
• September-November 2015
• April-June 2016

We would also like to interview any other adults in your household if appropriate, and if you agree.

The interview could take place in your home or somewhere else convenient. If you agree, the interview would be audio recorded. All the information you give would be kept confidential. You would be asked to sign a consent form and given a copy to keep.

Expenses and Payments

No payment for time would be provided to you. However, we will give you a voucher to compensate for your travel and any other expenses, at a rate of £10 per household per meeting.

Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?

Your taking part in the research will be confidential. Your name and other personal details will not be included in the writing up of the research. Quotations may be used but you will not be identified by name. The recordings will be kept securely and destroyed after the reports or any articles that might come from the research have been published. Transcripts of the interviews will be anonymised and retained for future research.

What are the disadvantages and risks of taking part?

Sometimes talking about what is happening can be distressing. If this happens we can stop the interview if you wish.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

We cannot promise the study will help you but the information we get from this study will help understand the impact of the welfare changes in Scotland and will help the Scottish Government in making decisions related to those areas within its responsibility.

What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?

If you change your mind and decide that you no longer want to take part in the study, you can withdraw at any time.

What if I want more information about the study?

If you have any questions about any aspect of the study or your participation in it please contact:

Tel: 0131 455 2348

Email: b.lister@napier.ac.uk

Tel: 0131 455 4714

Email: v.egdell@napier.ac.uk

How to access background or source data

The data collected for this social research publication cannot be made available by Scottish Government for further analysis as Scottish Government is not the data controller.