Ethical considerations
4.5 Ethical considerations
Ethical clearance for this research was granted by Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (reference EC 224-2007, 8 th October 2007 ) .
4.5.1 Survey
The reasons for conducting the research were clearly explained in separate information sheets/plain language statements accompanying the survey. Participants were reminded not to divulge any identifying information when writing comments on the survey. The completion and return of the survey was entirely voluntary and not subject to any coercion as the researcher was not present at its delivery. No questions on the survey asked for identifying or sensitive information. The surveys were returned anonymously and return of the survey signified consent, in addition, the survey bore a university approved statement about anonymity.
4.5.2 Interviews
Personal interviews involve the exchange of personal information and perspectives. For this reason it is imperative that the rights of each individual are upheld. In the first instance, none of the researchers’ accredited sonographer students were recruited, as students are in a dependant position and this could be construed as coercion. Similarly, it was made clear that the research was not being conducted on behalf of the University of South Australia (the employer of the researcher) and that institution would receive no benefit from it. All intending participants received a plain language information sheet which outlined the researcher’s details, her supervisors and the reasons for the research. It clearly stated that interviews would be voice recorded. The recording of the interview would be destroyed after transcription, but the records would be kept securely for five years. The intending participants were assured that their identity would be kept confidential at all times. The intending participants were assured that participation was at their own volition and that at any time the research with them could be discontinued and all information relating to their Personal interviews involve the exchange of personal information and perspectives. For this reason it is imperative that the rights of each individual are upheld. In the first instance, none of the researchers’ accredited sonographer students were recruited, as students are in a dependant position and this could be construed as coercion. Similarly, it was made clear that the research was not being conducted on behalf of the University of South Australia (the employer of the researcher) and that institution would receive no benefit from it. All intending participants received a plain language information sheet which outlined the researcher’s details, her supervisors and the reasons for the research. It clearly stated that interviews would be voice recorded. The recording of the interview would be destroyed after transcription, but the records would be kept securely for five years. The intending participants were assured that their identity would be kept confidential at all times. The intending participants were assured that participation was at their own volition and that at any time the research with them could be discontinued and all information relating to their
Chapter 5 will present the descriptive data from the survey and the principal components analysis. Chapters 6 to 9 will provide the analysis and discussion of the data derived from the survey, grouped according to each component derived from the PCA. Chapter 10 will present the findings from the interviews.