(Note:  Not all of the suggestions or headings on this template will necessarily apply to all projects)
[Date]
[TITLE  OF  PROJECT]
INFORMATION  SHEET  FOR  
[PARTICIPANTS or PARENTS / CAREGIVERS ETC.]
Thank you for showing an interest in this project.  Please read this information sheet carefully before deciding whether or not to participate.  If you decide to participate we thank you.  If you decide not to take part there will be no disadvantage to you of any kind and we thank you for considering our request.  
What is the Aim of the Project?
[Mention if the project is part of a specific course  e.g.  This project is being undertaken as part of the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science. ]
[Clear and concise explanation, in lay terms, of the major aim(s) of the project]
What Type of Participants  are Needed?
[Brief statement of the type of participants being sought; whether participation is limited to males or females and/or certain ages ]
(The following section will not be relevant to all proposals)  People who are in one or more of the categories listed below will not be able to participate in the project because, in the opinion of the researchers and the Ethics Committee of the University, it may involve an unacceptable risk to them:-
•	[exclusion criteria .....]

What will Participants be Asked to Do?
Should you agree to take part in this project, you will be asked to ......
[Clear and concise explanation in lay terms of precisely what participants will be asked to do, and the amount of time which might be involved]
[Reference to any potential harm or discomfort and to any benefit to the participant]
Please be aware that you may decide not to take part in the project without any disadvantage to yourself of any kind.
Can Participants Change their Mind and Withdraw from the Project?
You may withdraw from participation in the project at any time and without any disadvantage to yourself of any kind.
What Data or Information will be Collected and What Use will be Made of it?
[ What data or information will be collected? ]
[ If the project involves any form of open questioning technique, i.e. where the questions have not been prescribed in advance and consequently not reviewed by the Ethics Committee, a statement along the lines of that set out in the Note below should be included at this point in the Information Sheet ]
[Purposes for which the data or information is being collected]
[The use which will be made of the data and who will have access to it]
Results of this project may be published but any data included will in no way be linked to any specific participant.
You are most welcome to request a copy of the results of the project should you wish.
The data collected will be securely stored in such a way that only those mentioned above will be able to gain access to it.  At the end of the project any personal information will be destroyed immediately except that, as required by the University's research policy, any raw data on which the results of the project depend will be retained in secure storage for five years, after which it will be destroyed.
What if Participants have any Questions?
If you have any questions about our project, either now or in the future, please feel free to contact either:-
[Name of Student Researcher]		or	[Name of Supervisor]
Department of [.....]					Department of [.....]
University Telephone Number:- [......]		University Telephone Number:- [......]
[Home contact details of student researchers should not be included unless a special case is been made to, and approved by, the Ethics Committee]
This project has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee
of the [NAME OF YOUR INSTITUTION]
[Note: The above statement should not be included if the project has been considered and approved at departmental level ]

Note:	To be included if an open-questioning technique is involved:
		
		This project involves an open-questioning technique where the precise nature of the questions which will be asked have not been determined in advance, but will depend on the way in which the interview develops.  Consequently, although the Ethics Committee is aware of the general areas to be explored in the interview, the Committee has not been able to review the precise questions to be used.

		In the event that the line of questioning does develop in such a way that you feel hesitant or uncomfortable you are reminded of your right to decline to answer any particular question(s) and also that you may withdraw from the project at any stage without any disadvantage to yourself of any kind.

(Note:  Not all of the suggestions on this template will necessarily apply to all projects; for some projects, additional information may also be required)
[TITLE  OF  PROJECT]
CONSENT  FORM  FOR  
[PARTICIPANTS or PARENTS / CAREGIVERS ETC]
I have read the Information Sheet concerning this project and understand what it is about.  All my questions have been answered to my satisfaction.  I understand that I am free to request further information at any stage.
I know that:-
1.	my participation in the project is entirely voluntary;

2.	I am free to withdraw from the project at any time without any disadvantage;

3.	the data [video-tapes / audio-tapes] will be destroyed at the conclusion of the project but any raw data on which the results of the project depend will be retained in secure storage for five years, after which it will be destroyed;

4.	[ mention of open-questioning technique (see Note below) if applicable ]

5.	[mention of any discomfort or risks];

6.	[mention of any remuneration or compensation issues];

7.	the results of the project may be published but my anonymity will be preserved.

I agree to take part in this project.

.............................................................................				...............................
	      (Signature of participant)							(Date)

This project has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee
of the [NAME OF YOUR INSTITUTION]
[Note:	The above statement should not be included if the project has been considered and approved at departmental level ]

Note:	To be included if an open-questioning technique is involved:-

		"This project involves an open-questioning technique where the precise nature of the questions which will be asked have not been determined in advance, but will depend on the way in which the interview develops and that in the event that the line of questioning develops in such a way that I feel hesitant or uncomfortable I may decline to answer any particular question(s) and/or may withdraw from the project without any disadvantage of any kind."