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The Ethical Conduct of this Research

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET (PROFORMA)

SOCIAL SCIENCE/ HUMANITITES RESEARCH

AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Invitation

You are invited to participate in a research study into the ways in which peoples' economic decision-making strategies vary in different situations. The study is being conducted by Professor John Tisdell, School of Economics and Finance.

What is the purpose of this study?

The purpose is to investigate whether behaviour changes when people are presented with different economic decision making environments.

Why have I been invited to participate in this study?

You are eligible to participate in this study because you are a student at the University of Tasmania and registered as having an interest in participating in this study.

What does this study involve?

As a participant you will be given a model scenario and will be asked to react to it in various ways. In a typical experiment, participants are asked to make economic decisions about the model they are provided with. This may involve participating in a market in which you can buy and/or sell virtual goods/resources with other experimental participants. Simulated markets such as this are run on networked computer terminals. Sessions run for under 2 hours.

Participants receive a guaranteed $10 for attendance and will have the opportunity to earn additional amounts depending on the outcomes of decisions made during the experiment. Earnings will be between $10 and $50, payable once you have participated in the complete experimental session.

It is important that you understand that your involvement is this study is voluntary. While we would be pleased to have you participate, we respect your right to decline. There will be no consequences to you if you decide not to participate, and this will not affect your treatment / service. If you decide to discontinue participation at any time, you may do so without providing an explanation. All information will be treated in a confidential manner, and your name will not be used in any publication arising out of the research. All of the research will be kept in a locked cabinet in the office of Professor Tisdell.

Are there any possible benefits from participation in this study?

It is possible that you will notice a change in the way you view decision making from the program after a certain period of time. This may lead to changes in the way policy decision making is done. It may also result in more consideration of human behaviour in making government policy decisions. We will be interested to see if you experience any other benefits from being involved in these types of experiments.

If we are able to take the findings of this small study and link them with a wider study, the result may be valuable information for others and it may lead to changes in regional and national decision making.

Are there any possible risks from participation in this study?

Participation involves the risk(s) that are associated with making decisions in an environment where participant behaviour is interdependent. The outcomes of my decisions in the simulation may depend in part on the behaviour of others. There are no other specific risks anticipated with participation in this study. However, if you find that you are becoming distressed or unwell you will be advised to receive support from the research assistant in the room or alternatively, we will arrange for you to see a counsellor at no expense to you.

What if I have questions about this research?

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this study please feel free to contoct Professor John Tisdell on 62261783. We would be happy to discuss any aspect of the research with you. Once we have analysed the information we will be mailing / emailing you a summary of our findings. You are welcome to contact us at that time to discuss any issue relating to the research study.

This study has been approved by the Social Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee.

If you have concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study should contact the Executive Officer of the HREC (Tasmania) Network on (03) 6226 7479 or email human.ethics@utas.edu.au. The Executive Officer is the person nominated to receive complaints from research participants. You will need to quote H11301. Thank you for taking the time to consider this study.

Privacy policy CONSENT FORM AND PRIVACY POLICY

An experimental analysis of natural resource management options Ethics ref: H11301

In registering for a session

1. I have read and understood the 'Information Sheet' for this project.

2. The nature and possible effects of the study have been explained to me.

3. I understand that the study involves a model scenario and I will be asked make economic decisions. The session will run for approximately 2 hours.

4. I understand that participation involves the risk(s) that are associated with making decisions in an environment where participant behaviour is interdependent.

5. The outcomes of my decisions in the simulation may depend in part on the behaviour of others.

6. I understand that all research data will be securely stored on the University of Tasmania premises for at least five years, and will be destroyed when no longer required.

7. Any questions that I have asked have been answered to my satisfaction.

8. I agree that research data gathered from me for the study may be published provided that I cannot be identified as a participant.

9. I understand that the researchers will maintain my identity confidential and that any information I supply to the researcher(s) will be used only for the purposes of the research.

10. I agree to participate in this investigation and understand that I may withdraw at any time without any effect, and if I so wish, may request that any data I have supplied to date be withdrawn from the research.