Adventure sports working practice and sources of knowledge

We would like to invite you to take part in a research study. Before deciding you need to understand why the research is being conducted and what it would involve. The survey will be available to you until the end of November 2018, please take as long as you require during this month to decide whether to take part.

What is the purpose of the research?
To better understand working practice within outdoor adventure and the sources of knowledge that inform this practice.

What will you be asked to do?
Complete a survey which should take approximately 10 minutes. The focus of these questions will be on your working practice and the sources of knowledge you use. It is requested that you provide your answers in a quiet and private environment which allows you to think carefully when responding.

What are the anticipated benefits of participating in the research?
The results may be used to better inform training and education within the outdoor domain.

Are there any risks associated with participating in the research?
Your only task is to complete a questionnaire. There are no associated risks.

Do you have to take part?
No. Participation is entirely voluntary. You are free to withdraw at any time during the survey without giving a reason. There are two ways in which you can withdraw during the survey: (i) do not provide consent on the next page in this survey (it will automatically take you to an exit page), (ii) exit the survey at any point leaving it incomplete (incomplete surveys will not be included for data analysis and will therefore constitute a withdrawal).

What happens if you change your mind and want to withdraw?
If at any time you change your mind and wish to withdraw, then you may do so immediately by closing the survey on the screen or simply leaving it incomplete. You do not have to give a reason for withdrawing. If you change your mind after completing the survey and wish to withdraw your data, you will be able to do so only up until the last day in September 2018 and only by providing your email address within the survey (Final Page). To do so you will need to contact the lead researcher using the details listed below.

Will I be paid for participating in the research?
Your involvement in this project is voluntary. However, once you have completed the questionnaire you will be asked to provide your email address should you wish to be included in a prize draw for one of three chances to win a £50 voucher to spend in any Cotswold Camping store in the UK. Please be assured that by submitting your email address this will not be used at any point during the data analysis. Email addresses are solely collected for the purposes of the prize draw and any subsequent contact or procedures employed to withdraw data.

What will happen to the information collected as part of the study?
Data will be anonymous and stored for 5 years on a password, anti-virus and malware protected computer accessible only to the researchers. It is our intention that data collected will be written for journal publication, conference presentations and may be used in text books or related magazines. Anonymised results will be shared with the relevant National Governing Bodies. This means that in any form, your identity will not be associated to any specific response.

Who has reviewed the study?
The project has been approved by the University of Central Lancashire Ethics Committee.

Who can you contact if you have a complaint about the project?
If you have any complaints about the study you may contact the University Officer for Ethics (OfficerforEthics@uclan.ac.uk).