Thank you for your interest in the study! Before deciding to participate, please can you read the following study details.
The study relates to the psychology associated with mobile gambling behaviour. We want to understand what influences students to gamble or to not gamble. The study therefore does not exclude participants based on their previous history of gambling. The study is also not a gambling intervention; we are not trying to change behaviour, but rather we want to understand what influences it.
What we mean by mobile gambling is the following: The Gambling Act 2005 defined gambling as betting, gaming or participating in a lottery. This refers to playing a game of chance for a prize and/or making or accepting a bet on (a) the outcome of a race, competition or other event or process, (b) the likelihood of anything occurring or not occurring, or (c) whether anything is or is not true. We are specifically interested in gambling undertaken using a mobile device. There are many ways in which gambling can be undertaken using a mobile phone. These include using a mobile application, accessing a website, sending a text message, or making a call over the phone.
- What will happen if you take part?
The study requires you to complete two questionnaires relating to gambling and your perceptions towards it. You will complete the first questionnaire now (if you choose to participate) and the second questionnaire in four weeks. Before completing the first questionnaire you will complete the screening process. If you are eligible to participate then you will be asked to provide consent and enter your email address (note this can be any email address and is not restricted to the one provided by your university). You will then be instructed to complete the first questionnaire which takes assessments of demographics, psychological constructs (such as your attitude and beliefs towards gambling), and past gambling behaviour. Once completed, you will then be contacted four weeks later via the email address provided to complete the second questionnaire. This questionnaire will take assessments of your gambling behaviour within the four-week period. Your participation in the study is complete once this second questionnaire has been submitted. Participation in the study is therefore over four weeks. The study is undertaken entirely online and you will be provided with links to the questionnaires.
- Will your data be confidential?
Any information provided will be kept confidential between the research team. Only the research team will know your responses to questions. Your contact details will not be shared or passed on to any third parties.
- Will your data be anonymous?
You are not asked nor required to provide your name at any point. Rather, you will be asked to respond to three personal questions that will generate a pseudo code. This will be used, along with your email address, to match your data throughout. Please therefore be assured of data anonymity. Please note that if your name is included within the provided email address, anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
- What if you do not want to continue or wish to withdraw data?
You may withdraw from the study at any point without having to provide a reason. You can also withdraw your data after your participation in the study is complete. If you would like to withdraw your data, please contact me within 14 days of completing the second questionnaire. You will be reminded of this once the intervention is complete.
- What if you have a complaint?
If you have any complaints or are unhappy with any aspect of the study then please contact Dr Lisa Webster, the chair of the School of Social and Health Sciences ethics board at Leeds Trinity University, by phone: 0113 283 7100 extension 636, or email: l.webster@leedstrinity.ac.uk.
If you are happy to participate we first need to determine your eligibility through some screening questions. Specifically, you are ineligible if you are not a university student or if you do not have access to an email account. If you are eligible you will be asked to provide consent and undertake the first questionnaire. If you are ineligible you will be redirected to a page thanking you for your interest.
Please note that your participation is entirely voluntary and if you know any of the researchers, refusing to participate will not impact on your relationship with them.
If you have any questions or require more information, then please feel free to contact me by email: t.stquinton@leedstrinity.ac.uk, phone: 0113 283 7100 extension 606, or post: Tom St Quinton, School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds LS18 5HD
Many thanks for your interest in the study.
Dr Tom St Quinton
School of Social and Health Sciences
Leeds Trinity University
Horsforth, Leeds
LS18 5HD
Email: t.stquinton@leedstrinity.ac.uk
If you are happy to participate, please proceed to the screening questions.