DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

Other important ethical issues pertaining to the study included confidentiality of data and
obligation to participate. The confidentiality issue was managed by informing all
participants that all information gathered through the study would remain confidential.
Only the researcher had access to information that would identify participants, and
participants were informed that the researcher was bound by patient confidentiality limits
as defined by the British Psychological Society (2000). All questionnaires were
anonymised and numerically coded and locked in a secure location separate from any
documents that may have identified participants, such as parental consent forms. All
computerised data files were password protected and had no identifying information. To
minimise any obligation participants may have felt to participate, the participant
information sheet and consent forms clearly highlighted that individuals did not have to
take part in the study and that they could withdraw at any time without giving a reason.
Ethics approval was obtained from the Psychology Ethics Committee, University of
Hertfordshire. This was sought and obtained before contact with the participants was
made (see appendix 11 for the approval letter). Further ethics approval was not deemed
necessary as the sample was from a non clinical population.
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