Designing better jeans

Adult Participant Information Sheet

Investigators Details:
Dr Vicky Lofthouse (Academic Tutor), Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University,
Loughborough, Leics, UK LE11 3TU, v.a.lofthouse@lboro.ac.uk 01509 222777

Dr Debra Lilley (Academic Tutor), Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University,

Loughborough, Leics, UK LE11 3TU, d.lilley@lboro.ac.uk 01509 222660

Madeleine Gordon (Undergraduate student), Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics, UK

LE11 3TU, m.g.p.gordon-15@student.lboro.ac.uk

I would like to invite you to take part in my study. Before you decide I would like you to
understand why the research is being done and what it would involve for you. I will go through the
information sheet with you and answer any questions you have. Talk to others about the study
before making a decision if you wish.

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of this study is to gathering insights into people’s behaviour when choosing,
purchasing and treating jeans to inform the development of new products and/or services to
improve the user experience of owning jeans.

Who is doing this research and why?

This study is part of a Student research project supported by Loughborough University. The
research will be carried out by Madeleine Gordon, supervised by Dr Vicky Lofthouse and Dr Debra
Lilley

Are there any exclusion criteria?

The exclusion criteria are those who do not choose, buy or own any jeans.

What will I be asked to do?

The participant will be required to anonymously answer some questions on their attitudes and
their behaviours of jeans, either in an online survey, in person or over the phone. This discussion
will be recorded and then deleted after the project is complete. If they choose to continue taking
part in further research stages then they may be asked to provide photos or further information
regarding their jean purchases and methods of treatment, or even partake in some user testing
and experience prototyping, which can take place wherever the participant is most comfortable.

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Once I take part, can I change my mind?

Yes. After you have read this information and asked any questions you may have if you are happy
to participate we will ask you to complete an Informed Consent Form, however if at any time,
before, during or after the sessions you wish to withdraw from the study please just contact the
main investigator. You can withdraw at any time, for any reason and you will not be asked to
explain your reasons for withdrawing.

However, once the results of the study have been submitted in my coursework it may not be
possible to withdraw your individual data from the research.

Will I be asked to attend any sessions and where will these be?

For any user testing or experience prototyping, you may be asked to meet to conduct this research
with myself (any anyone else you’d feel comfortable with) in any location that you’d prefer.

How long will it take?

The length of these sessions is also flexible, based on your schedule. As a rough guide however, an
online survey may take 2 minutes, an interview may take 10-15 minutes, and user testing or
experience prototyping may take 30 minutes.

Are there any disadvantages or risks in participating?

No.

Data Protection Privacy Notice

Loughborough University will be using information/data from you to undertake this study and will
act as the data controller for this study. This means that the University is responsible for looking
after your information and using it properly. Loughborough University will keep identifiable
information about you until the work has been marked and the marks confirmed by the External
Examiner for the Programme (12 months from the point of collection). The University’s Data
Protection Officer can be contacted at: dp@lboro.ac.uk.

What personal information will be collected from me?

Identifiable personal information including for example your name, age, ethnicity, nationality,
occupation, address and contact details may be collected. These records will be held securely by
the student(s) until the work has been marked and the marks confirmed by the External Examiner
for the Programme (12 months from the point of collection) when they will be destroyed.

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Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?

Personal information collected about me that can identify me, such as my name or where I live,
will not be shared beyond the student and Academic tutors. Participants will be allocated a code
to separate any identifiable information from their data. No individual will be identifiable in any
report, presentation or publication.

How will the data collected from me be used?

The data collected will be used as part of a Student research project supported by Loughborough
University.

What is the legal basis for processing the data?

Personal data will be processed on the public task basis. Individuals’ rights to erasure and data
portability do not apply if you are processing on the basis of public task. However, individuals do
have a right to object.

Will my data be shared with others?

Your data will be shared with the Academic tutors and potentially the External Examiner for the
student’s programme of study. However, no identifiable data will be included.

How long will the anonymised data/samples be retained?

Anonymised data will be retained in the submitted coursework which is retained securely by the
University for 7 years.

I have some more questions; who should I contact?

In the first instance please raise any queries with Madeleine Gordon alternatively you may speak
directly to the Academic Tutor Dr Vicky Lofthouse.

If you have any questions more generally regarding Data Protection at the University, then please
do contact the Data Protection Officer on dp@lboro.ac.uk or write to The Data Protection Officer
at Academic Registry, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics, UK LE11 3TU.

What if I am not happy with how the research was conducted?

If you are not happy with how the research was conducted, please contact the Secretary of the
Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee, Research Office, Hazlerigg Building,
Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TU. Tel: 01509 222423. Email:
researchpolicy@lboro.ac.uk

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The University also has policies relating to Research Misconduct and Whistle Blowing which are
available online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/committees/ethics-approvals-human-
participants/additionalinformation/codesofpractice/ .

If you have taken steps to have a concern or complaint about Loughborough University’s handling
of data resolved but are still not satisfied you have a right to lodge a complaint with the
Information Commissioner’s Office (ico), who are the relevant regulator for data privacy and
protection matters. The ico can be contacted at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF
and your will find more information at https://ico.org.uk.

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