PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
Title: Exploring the consumer perceived veracity of
traditional media vs social media information sources in an organizational
crisis context
Chief Investigator
Mr.
Mohammed Akhib
College
of Business, Government and Law
Flinders
University
Supervisors
Prof.
Roberta Crouch
College
of Business, Government and Law
Flinders
University
Dr
Ashokkumar Manoharan
College
of Business, Government and Law
Flinders
University
Description of the study
This
project will investigate comparative opinions, views and perceptions of
consumers when they search, read or view news in traditional and social media,
about companies or organisations in a crisis. This project is supported by
Flinders University, College of Business, Government and Law. The context is
COVID-19 crisis and government communication on social media/traditional media.
Purpose of the study
This
project aims to cross investigate media sources and response channels, for
exploring crisis communication believability with the digital age consumer
through social media/traditional media.
Benefits of the study
The
sharing of your experiences will help explore crisis communication channels
effectiveness such as social media and traditional media, understanding
consumer perception, consumer trust and consumer future purchase intentions.
Participant involvement and potential
risks
If
you agree to participate in the research study, you will be asked to respond to
questions regarding your views about current COVID-19 crisis communication by
government in social media/traditional media.
The
survey will take about 15 minutes and participation is entirely voluntary. You
may require contributing your time and effort as a risk and burden. The
researchers do not expect the questions to cause any harm or discomfort to you.
However, if you experience feelings of distress as a result of participation in
this study, please let the research team know immediately. You can also contact
the following services for support:
Lifeline – 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue – 1300 22
4636, www.beyondblue.org.au
Withdrawal
Rights
You
may, without any penalty, decline to take part in this research study. If you
decide to take part and later change your mind, you may, without any penalty,
withdraw at any time without providing an explanation. Withdrawal is possible
until the survey is submitted, please contact the Chief Investigator or you may
just refuse to answer any questions or close the internet browser and leave the
online survey or not participate in exercises at any time. Any data collected
up to the point of my withdrawal will be secure and may not be able to be
destroyed. However, the data will not be used in this research study without my
explicit consent. My decision not to participate or to withdraw from this
research study will not affect my relationship with Flinders University and its
staff and students.
Confidentiality
and Privacy
Only
researchers listed on this form have access to the individual information
provided by me. Privacy and confidentiality will be assured. The research
outcomes may be presented at conferences, written up for publication or used
for other research purposes as described in this information form. However, the
privacy and confidentiality of individuals will be protected. I will not be
named, and my individual information will not be identifiable in any research
products without my explicit consent. No data, including identifiable,
non-identifiable and de-identified datasets, will be shared or used in future
research projects without my explicit consent.
The
information collected may be stored securely on a password protected computer
and/or Flinders University server throughout the study. Any identifiable data
will be de-identified for data storage purposes unless indicated otherwise. All
data will be securely transferred to and stored at Flinders University for at
least five years after publication of the results. Following the required data
storage period, all data will be securely destroyed according to university
protocols.
Recognition of Contribution / Time /
Travel costs
If
you would like to participate, in recognition of your contribution and
participation time, you will not be provided with any payment or compensation.
How will I receive feedback?
On
project completion, no feedback or summary summary of the outcomes can be provided
to the participant as the survey is anonymous.
Ethics Committee Approval
The project has been approved by Flinders University’s Human
Research Ethics Committee project number 2188.
Queries and Concerns
Queries
or concerns regarding the research can be directed to the research team. If you
have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this study,
you may contact the Flinders University’s Research Ethics & Compliance
Office team via telephone 08 8201 3116 or email human.researchethics@flinders.edu.au