T’s and C’s

While there are no foreseeable risks for participating in this study, you may find some questions of a sensitive nature. If you are upset by any aspect of this study, please refer to the Support Contacts for a list of support services you may contact if needed. The research team can notify your GP about your participation if you desire.

All information you supply in this study is treated as confidential.

What Data or Information will be Collected and What Use will be Made of it?

We will collect basic personal information (name, date-of-birth, gender, ethnicity), information on health, pregnancy experiences, mood, eating behaviours, appetite and sensory changes, body rating, and responses on smell tests. Your contact details will be held to contact you during the study.

Data collected will be used to understand the group of participants, their smell ability and peripartum depression symptoms. Only the researchers will be able to review your data. Your identity will be confidential.

Data collected will be securely stored. Data obtained as a result of the research will be held for at least 10 years in secure storage, and only the research team will have access. Any personal information, such as contact details, may be destroyed at the end of the study. The anonymised data will, in most cases, be kept for much longer or possibly indefinitely.

The results of this project may be published and will be available in the University of Otago Library (Dunedin, New Zealand) but every attempt will be made to preserve your anonymity.

You are entitled to request a copy of the study results if you wish.

Can Participants Change their Mind and Withdraw from the Project?

You may withdraw from participation in the project at any time and without any disadvantage to yourself of any kind.

What if Participants have any Questions?

If you have any questions about our project, either now or in the future, please feel free to contact the research team at: smellandppd@gmail.com

This study has been approved by the Health and Disability Ethics Committee. If you have any concerns about the ethical conduct of the research you may contact the HDEC administrator (ph 0800 43 8442 or email hdecs@moh.govt.nz). Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated and you will be informed of the outcome.