We would be grateful if you could assist us by participating in our online study investigating the effects of images and sounds on mood and wellbeing.

If you agree to take part, you will be asked to sign a consent form. You will then be asked to answer some questions about your demographic information, and complete some standard questionnaires regarding your current mood and wellbeing. You will then be asked to view images, listen to sounds, or both. After this, you will be asked to fill in some of the mood questionnaires again. The experiment should take no longer than 30 minutes.

To participate in this research, you need to be over the age of 18 and have access to a computer, tablet or phone.

What will happen to the data that I provide?
Your data will be kept confidential and securely stored, with an anonymous number identifying it. Data collected from this study will be preserved and made available in anonymised form, so that data can be re-used by others.

Personal data (email address if you would like to participate in a lucky draw or receive 0.5 SONA credits) will be handled in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation 2016 and the Data Protection Act 2018 and will only be disclosed to the Lead Researcher and will be kept on a password protected computer.

What are the possible advantages/disadvantages or risks of taking part?
This research is not anticipated to induce any harm or distress. However, this research will involve sensitive questions surrounding potentially difficult feelings with regards to anxiety and depression.
Sometimes filling in these questionnaires may make people more aware of their mental wellbeing. If you are concerned about your wellbeing, you may find it helpful to access support through charity organisations such as Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393. Your GP will also be able to help you. If you are a University of Reading student and would like to access support through the University, please call 0118 378 4216.

Do I have to take part?
No, you do not have to participate. Taking part in this study is completely voluntary; you may withdraw at any time without having to give any reason. Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have about this study at any point.

If you withdraw from the study all your identifiable data will be destroyed. No further data would be collected, or any other research procedures would be carried out on or in relation to you.

Students at the University of Reading will be eligible to receive 0.5 credits for your participation. There will also be a lucky draw to win a £25 Amazon voucher.

This application has been reviewed by School Research Ethics Committee and has been given a favourable ethical opinion for conduct (2021-072-SC).

If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact Stella Chan (supervisor), s.chan3@reading.ac.uk or the Lead Researcher, Emily Witten, pw801916@student.reading.ac.uk.