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Information and consent

Online studies in perception, learning and decision-making

Welcome to the experiment. Before taking part, it is important that we receive informed consent from each participant before they begin. Before signing this form, make sure that you carefully read the study details below.

What is the purpose of this study?

We are interested in how the adult brain controls learning and decision-making. This research aims to provide insights into how the healthy brain works to help us understand the causes of a number of different medical conditions.

Who is conducting this research study?

This research is being conducted by the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging and the Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research. The lead researcher for this project is Dr Jessica McFadyen (j.mcfadyen@ucl.ac.uk). This study has been approved by the UCL Research Ethics Committee (project ID number 9929/002) and funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Who can participate in the study?

We are recruiting participants aged between 18 and 40 years old who spoke English as a first language.

What will happen to me if I take part?

You will play an online computer game, which will last up to 90 minutes. We ask that you only participate in this experiment if you have time to complete the entire experiment. You will receive £5 for participating but you can receive a BONUS £5 by finishing the game and performing well.

You will also be asked some questions about yourself, your feelings, background, attitudes, and behaviour in your everyday life.

Remember, you are free to withdraw at any time (and you don't need to provide a reason).

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?

You will be asked to answer some questions about mood and feelings, and we can provide information about ways to seek help should you feel affected by the issues raised by these questions.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

While there are no immediate benefits to taking part, your participation in this research will help us understand how people make decisions and this could have benefits for our understanding of mental health problems.

Complaints

If you wish to complain or have any concerns about any aspect of the way you have been approached or treated by members of staff, then the research UCL complaints mechanisms are available to you. In the first instance, please talk to the researcher or the chief investigator (Professor Ray Dolan, r.dolan@ucl.ac.uk) about your complaint. If you feel that the complaint has not been resolved satisfactorily, please contact the chair of the UCL Research Ethics Committee (ethics@ucl.ac.uk).

If you are concerned about how your personal data are being processed please contact the data controller who is UCL: protection@ucl.ac.uk. If you remain unsatisfied, you may wish to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Contact details, and details of data subject rights, are available on the ICO website.

What about my data?

To help future research and make the best use of the research data you have given us (such as answers to questionnaires) we may keep your research data indefinitely and share these. The data we collect will be shared and held as follows:

• In publications, your data will be anonymised, so you cannot be identified.
• In public databases, your data will be anonymised or pseudonymised (your personal details will be removed and a code used (e.g. 123456) instead of your user ID)
• Personal data is any information that could be used to identify you, such as your user ID. This will be held securely at UCL and will never be shared. If you participate in other research studies from our research group, your user ID may be used to link your data between the two research studies. Your personal data will be deleted or destroyed as soon as it is deemed redundant.

The legal basis used to process your personal data will be the provision of public task (this means that the research you are taking part in is deemed to be in the public interest). We will follow the UCL and legal guidelines to safeguard your data.

If you change your mind and withdraw your consent to participate in this study you can contact the lead researcher via email. If you wish, we will delete your data. However, anonymised or pseudonymised data and research results already shared with other investigators or the general public cannot be destroyed, withdrawn or recalled.

Consent form

If there are any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact: Dr Jessica McFadyen, j.mcfadyen@ucl.ac.uk.

If you are happy to proceed, please read the statement below and tick the boxes to show that you consent to participating in this study. If you no longer wish to proceed, simply close this window.

I have read the information above, and understand what the study involves.

I consent to the processing of my personal information (e.g. user ID) for the purposes of this research study and to link studies within this lab. I understand that such information will remain confidential and will be handled in accordance will all applicable data protection legislation and ethical standards in research. These data will only be accessible to the study team and individuals from the University and Funder who are responsible for monitoring and audits.

I understand that my anonymised/pseudonymised personal data can be shared with others for future research, shared in public databases and in scientific reports.

I understand that I am free to withdraw from this study at any time without giving a reason and this will not affect my future medical care or legal rights.

I understand the potential benefits and risks of participating, the support available to me should I become distressed during the research, and who to contact if I wish to lodge a complaint.

I understand the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the Information Sheet and as explained to me by the researcher. I confirm that I do not fall under the exclusion criteria.

I agree that the research project named above has been explained to me to my satisfaction and I agree to take part in this study.