Participant Information Sheet

Title of Project:

The Human-Animal Bond & Occupation

Exploring The Effect Of
Rehoming Retired Commercial Laying Hens On Wellbeing
Invitation:
We would like to invite you to take part in a research project. Before you decide
whether to take part it is important that you understand why the research is
being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read this carefully and
ask the researcher if you have any questions. Talk to others about the study if
you wish. You will have until you collect your hens to decide if you want to take
part in the first round of the study. There will be a second round 4-6 weeks later
which you are equally invited, but not obliged to take part in whether or not you
participate in the first round.
What is the purpose of the study?
This study aims to establish whether the occupation of hen-keeping, in particular via
the adoption of retired commercial laying hens, has any effect on mood / wellbeing.
Why have I been invited to take part?
You have received this invitation because you have registered to re-home hens
through the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT).
We are hoping to recruit up to 150 participants for this study.
Do I have to take part?
No. It is up to you to decide whether or not you want to take part in this study.
Please take your time to decide; once your data has been collected it will be
made anonymous and cannot be withdrawn from the study. If you decide to take

part you will be asked to confirm your consent by ticking a box at the start of the
survey.
What will happen to me if I agree to take part?
If you agree to take part you will fill in a short online survey, which takes around 5-10
minutes to complete. There will be a second round of data collection, consisting of
another short survey 6 weeks later. You are free to end your participation in the study
at any time without further obligation.
Are there any disadvantages / risks to taking part?
Although some questions in the survey are mandatory, any potentially sensitive
questions (those regarding mental health issues) will offer you the option not to
answer them. Should any topics in the study raise issues for you regarding your
mental health or that of someone close to you please contact your local GP or
mental health worker for support/advice.
If you have any concerns about the welfare of your hens please call the BHWT
advice line on 01884 860084 or email your question to hens@bhwt.org.uk.
Will the information I give stay confidential?
Everything you say is confidential unless you tell us something that indicates
that you or someone else is at risk of harm: We would discuss this with you
before telling anyone else. The information you give may be used for a
research report, but it will not be possible to identify you from that report or any
other dissemination activities. Personal identifiable information (your email
address; no other identifiable data will be collected) will be securely stored and
kept for up 6 weeks after data collection ends in May 2016 and then securely
disposed of. The research data (e.g. responses to questions) will be securely
stored in a de-identified state.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
This research is being carried out as part of my BSc (Hons) Occupational
Therapy degree at University of Worcester. The findings of this study will be
reported as part of my dissertation and published by the British Hen Welfare
Trust. They may also be published in academic journals or at conferences. If
you wish to receive a summary of the research findings please contact the
researcher.
Who is organising the research?
This research has been approved by the University of Worcester Institute of Health and
Society Ethics Committee.
What happens next?
2

Please keep this information sheet. If you do decide to take part, please proceed with the
survey by following this link: http://goo.gl/forms/qKUMvS7PIw
Thank you for taking the time to read this information
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about this study please contact one of
the research team using the details below.

Student researcher
Lianne Peters
Email: Petl2_13@uni.worc.ac.uk

Supervisor
Dr Yvonne Thomas
Email: y.thomas@worc.ac.uk

If you would like to speak to an independent person who is not a member of the
research team, please contact Dr John-Paul Wilson at the University of
Worcester, using the following details:
John-Paul Wilson
Research Manager
Graduate Research School
University of Worcester
Henwick Grove
Worcester WR2 6AJ
01905 542196
j.wilson@worc.ac.uk