Version 15/16-1 September 2015
Guidance on providing verbal information
In cases where giving verbal information is appropriate it is important that you provide the potential
participant with all the information they need to know about the study in order for them to provide
fully informed consent. Below are the key points which you must provide to the potential
participants. How, in what order and in what depth you present these should be tailored according
to the specific research and the environment in which you are conducting the research.
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Introduce yourself – provide your name, that you are from KCL, your course of study and the
purpose for which you are doing the research (i.e. dissertation etc)
Provide a brief overview of the nature of your research, what you are asking of them as a
potential participant and how much of their time this will take. Where appropriate explain
why you have approached them in particular.
Provide details on confidentiality and anonymity. Make clear their anonymity options i.e. will
their data be identifiable or will they be allowed full or partial anonymity? If quotes will be
used in the thesis ensure that the participant is made aware of this and if they will be
identifiable or anonymous.
If you intend to audio or video record, seek consent from the participant to do so and
explain if the recording will be transcribed and destroyed or if the recording will be stored.
For anonymous participation ensure that the participant is aware that once they have
participated it will not be possible to withdraw their data because of its anonymity, but if
that they wish to withdraw at any point during participation they can do so and their data
will be destroyed.
Explain what will happen to the results of the study i.e. will they be reported in a thesis, in a
journal publication, at a conference etc.
Where practical and appropriate the researcher should record participants consent either in
writing or by audio recording.
Where appropriate you should provide the participants with your contact details so that
they can contact you with any questions.
Before they participate ensure that you provide the participant with the opportunity to ask
any questions.