End of Study Questionnaire
At the end of the study, we will send you a letter with instructions on how to return the in-home sensor. We would also like to ask a few questions about your experience participating in this study. Your feedback will help us better interpret the data collected by the sensor and improve future research.
To gather your input, we have prepared a short questionnaire that takes only a few minutes to complete. As a thank-you for completing the questionnaire and returning the sensor, you will receive a £20 gift card.
You can complete the questionnaire in two ways:
- 1. On Paper
A printed copy of the questionnaire will be included with the letter we send you. Please complete the questionnaire and return it with your sensor in the original packaging using the pre-paid postage label provided. - 2. Online
You can also complete the questionnaire online. To access the survey, either:
- Click this link : https://essex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bwkqhBisPSrwzFY
- Or scan the QR code:
You will then need an access code to log into the survey. This access code will be provided in the letter we send about returning your sensor. Once you have completed the survey, please return your sensor as instructed in the original packaging using the pre-paid postage label provided.
Thank you for your time and valuable contributions to our study.
Background to the study
We know the conditions in our homes can be different according to where we live, even in different homes in the same street. The air can contain different levels of certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) and microscopic particles. These variations in air quality, as well as things like air temperature, humidity, noise levels and light levels, may affect our physical health, and how we feel – and might affect different people in different ways.
To understand how conditions inside people’s homes vary, we would like to invite some households to place a sensor in their home for a period of time. Information collected by these sensors would be linked to the answers you have given in this study.
Download the In-Home Sensors leaflet (PDF, 393 KB)
What information would be added?
The sensor will record things about indoor conditions such as air temperature, humidity, noise levels (but not actual sounds), light levels, and the presence of certain gases and microscopic particles in the air. We would like to link the information from the sensor to your survey answers to enable valuable research on the air quality of different types of households.
Is the sensor easy to use?
Yes, it is easy to use. We’ve produced a short video to show you what to do when you receive the sensor. If you have any technical issues with the sensor please email sensorhousingsurvey@glasgowctu.org
Who will use it?
Like your survey responses, the additional information would be used by academic and social policy researchers for non-commercial statistical analysis. The linked data would only be made available to researchers under restricted access arrangements which make sure that the information is used responsibly and safely. Names and addresses are never included in the results and no individual can be identified from the research.
My permission – what does it cover?
If you give us your permission, we will send your name, address, telephone number, and email address to the researchers at the University of Glasgow. The researchers will use this information to send you an in-home sensor kit. When you receive this, if you are still happy to take part, you should plug it into an electricity socket. The sensor will be delivered with full instructions. After a period of time, the researchers will contact you to arrange a convenient time for a courier to visit your address to collect the kit.
When the kit is returned to the University of Glasgow, the data will be extracted from the sensor. The data will be securely transferred to ISER at the University of Essex. Your name and address and other contact details will be removed from the data and it will be anonymous.
The data will be made available to researchers under restricted access arrangements which make sure that the information is used responsibly and safely. Like the answers you have given us in the survey, the information from other sources will be treated in confidence and in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
Do I have to give permission?
No, this part of the study, like the rest of Understanding Society, is completely voluntary.
What are the benefits of giving permission?
Adding the information collected from the sensor to your survey responses will help us to get a better picture of indoor conditions throughout the day and across different types of households.
Are there any risks involved in giving permission?
There are no risks associated with collecting data about the indoor conditions at your address and linking to your survey responses.
What about data security?
Your survey answers and in-home sensor data will be anonymised and will only be used for research and statistics. We are extremely security conscious and all of our systems are password protected and only accessed by a small number of authorised staff. The information we need to exchange with the University of Glasgow will be sent via secure transfer systems. We implement the most up–to-date data security protocols and procedures. Your personal details will be secure at all times.
Has the study been reviewed and approved by an Ethics Committee?
Yes. Before any research like this can be done it is looked at carefully by an Ethics Committee. In this case, the study has been approved by University of Essex Ethics Sub-Committee 1, ETH2324-1225.
What if I change my mind?
If you wish to withdraw your permission at any point in the future, please write to:
FREEPOST RRXX-KEKJ-JGKS
Understanding Society
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester, CO4 3SQ
stating: “ I < your name>, currently living at < your address and postcode> am a participant on Understanding Society and I wish to withdraw my permission for information from my smart meter to be added to my survey data.” Please sign and date your letter.
If you have any questions or concerns, just call our Freephone number 0800 252 853 or write to us.
For more information, visit: www.understanding society.ac.uk/participants
What if I have concerns about the way the study was carried out?
Please contact Michaela Benzeval, the Director of Understanding Society 01206 873983 mbenzeval@essex.ac.uk
Paul Clarke, the Research Director of ISER 01206 873760 pclarke@essex.ac.uk
Mantalena Sotiriadou, the Research Governance and Planning Manager at the University of Essex ms21994@essex.ac.uk