Information Sheet Proforma
The following is a sample proforma, suggesting how an information sheet can be laid out. It should be printed
on UCL headed paper. A template for this may be found at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/corporateidentity/stationery/stationery-templates.
Language Tips
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Use wording that suits the age and educational level of your research participants.
Avoid jargon or technical terms.
Use the active voice e.g. “we will book” rather than “bookings will be made”. Refer to participants as
“you”, and to yourself as “I” or “we”.
If English is not the first language of your research subjects, you should provide them with a suitable
translation.
Judging your audience
You may need to design a different Information Sheet for different types of participant groups:
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Children of different age groups
Parents, guardians or carers of participants
Adult participants
Elderly participants
If your participants cannot read, or the use of an information sheet is inappropriate, you will have to give this
information verbally. A record should be kept of what was said.
Testing
It is a good idea to test your information sheet on someone of the appropriate age group or category before
beginning your full study. This may reveal areas of possible misunderstanding or confusion, which you can then
rectify.
Sources: http://ethics.grad.ucl.ac.uk/advice.php and http://ethics.grad.ucl.ac.uk/forms/appform_sample.pdf
(accessed 5th July 2012).
Information Sheet for [INSERT YOUR DEGREE] dissertation research
You will be given a copy of this information sheet.
Dissertation title:
Researcher name:
Contact details:
Supervisor’s name:
I would like to invite [insert participant’s name] to participate in this research project
Details of Study:
Describe your project here. Include:
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Research aims
How the research will be carried out
What the benefits of value of the research will be
How the results will be used and published
Explain the role of the participant
 Who is being recruited
 What they will need to do
 How the data will be collected (ie: will you be recording interviews?)
 Arrangements regarding anonymity and confidentiality.
 Any risks
 Any benefits (ie: will they be given a copy of the transcript of their interview, or a report
of the findings?)
Please discuss the information above with others if you wish or ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if
you would like more information.
It is up to you to decide whether to take part or not; choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in any
way. If you do decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason.
All data will be collected and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
Statements which researchers MIGHT also include as appropriate:
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If you agree to take part you will be asked whether you are happy to be contacted about participation in future
studies. Your participation in this study will not be affected should you choose not be re-contacted.
You may withdraw your data from the project at any time up until it is transcribed for use in the final report (insert
date).
Recorded interviews will be transcribed (written up) and the tape will then be wiped clear.
If you decide to take part you will be given this information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a consent form.
Submission of a completed questionnaire implies consent to participate.
As participation is anonymous it will not be possible for us to withdraw your data once you have returned your
questionnaire.