Sheffield citizens sought to take part in research project

Researchers are asking if we answer differently depending on whether we’re talking to people online or face-to-face

If selected, you’ll take part in an interview lasting about 30-40 minutes all about your views on health – and you can choose whether to receive £50 of shopping vouchers for Amazon or Love-to-Shop, by way of a thank you.

This is a joint project involving University of Sheffield’s School of Health and Related Research and the University of Oxford and is being done to find out whether being interviewed online or in person affects the answers – and in turn, whether that would affect how researchers should do interviews and analyse results. Should face-to-face answers be analysed separately from the online ones, for example?

“During lockdown especially we found we were doing a lot more online, and we wanted to know if that affected people’s behaviour and the way they answered,” explained Dr Donna Rowen, of University of Sheffield.

The university is looking for over 200 Sheffield people, from a wide variety of backgrounds, to be interviewed – either face-to-face or online. You will need a computer, laptop or tablet to take part in the online interview.

The results of this pilot study will feed into a larger study and results may be published in academic journals and presented at conferences.

What will I be asked?

If you’re chosen to take part you’ll be asked questions about your opinions on health and being ill – how good or bad you think living with different levels of ill health would be. You will be asked about you, and your health.

All data collected will be anonymous, so your personal details will be strictly confidential and the information you give will not be used in any way that could identify you.

How will people be chosen?

Once people apply the researchers will select who to invite for interview based on the answers given in the initial nine-question survey, to make sure they get a good mix of different people. Then those chosen will be selected for online or face-to-face. And don’t worry if you change your mind – you can withdraw at any time up to and during the interview.

The deadline for applying is the end of November and interviews will be held over the next few weeks at a time to suit you. If it’s face-to-face it will be in a city centre venue and all Covid measures will be followed to protect you.

“It would be great to hear your views and we’d encourage as many people as possible to get in touch,” said Dr Rowen.

Anyone wanting to take part will initially answer a short nine-question survey to provide name, email address and optional phone number so they can be contacted to arrange an interview.

To find out more, click this link, which also includes a link to the initial nine-question survey.