Participant Information Sheet

This projects looks to gain information on the impact of the Reading Agency programme
Six Book Challenge at Bolton College LRC, aiming to review how the LRC supports its
participants and to find best practice for the future. This will be the basis for the
researchers dissertation at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The data collected from the information found will be voluntary and anonymous
throughout, dealt with complete confidentiality and in line with Bolton Colleges Data
Protection policy. You are under no obligation to take part in this study.
Study Title
How has the Six Book Challenge changed perceptions on reading and increased library
usage for those participating at Bolton College?
I am pleased to invite you to take part in a research study. Before deciding to take part,
please be aware of the following information and ask the researcher for clarification if there
is anything you are unsure of. Please take your time to understand this information to
decide whether or not you wish to take part in this study.
What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of this study is to find the best practice for running the Six Book Challenge in
the future. For this, the study looks to question participants of the Six Book Challenge
about their experiences of the Challenge at Bolton College.
Why have I been invited?
You have been invited to take part in this story, because you have been identified as a
participant of the Six Book Challenge at Bolton College. As a participant, you will have
either taken part in the challenge as a student at Bolton College or you have been involved
in a different way; for example, a tutor who has been using the challenge in lessons. This
participation is entirely voluntary and you are free to withdraw any of information you have
provided at any time, without giving a reason.
What will happen to me if I take part?
By taking part in this study, you would be completing a short questionnaire taking around 5
minutes based on your experiences of the Six Book Challenge and how the LRC
supported you with resources and guidance. Additionally, you may also be willing to
contribute in a short interview, in order to expand on the questions answered on the
questionnaire. Both participating in a questionnaire and interview would be a one off event.
Your personal information required in the questionnaire will be minimal, asking you what
subject you have been studying at Bolton College.
Expenses and payments?
For this particular study, participation is voluntary and unrewarded by expenses and
payments. However, your involvement is likely to improve further progression of LRC
resources and how the Six Book Challenge is ran at Bolton College.
What will I have to do?
This study expects its participants to answer honestly on their perceptions on how the Six
Book Challenge might have benefited their studies and how the LRC has supported this.

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?

Although unlikely, a participant may find that some of the questionnaire will bring about
sensitive issues. If this was to occur, appropriate support services are available at Bolton
College. Please be aware that you can withdraw your participation at any time.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
The possible benefits of taking part in this study are the improvements to Bolton College;
this being, that after evaluating this years Six Book Challenge we will be looking to find
further ways of supporting the participants. If you are likely to be doing a course at Bolton
College next year, this will be hopefully benefit your further studies and perhaps encourage
you to partake in the challenge again in 2016.
What if there is a problem?
If at any time a participant has a complaint about the study and their involvement they are
free to contact the researcher- whose contact number is listed below. Alternatively, please
see below the method for making a formal complaint with Bolton College:
Formal complaints
If a complainant feels it is necessary to pursue a complaint formally, they can be assured
that we will treat it seriously and impartially.
A formal complaint should be made in the following way:
Initially the complainant should speak with a tutor, Curriculum Leader, or Head of Area for
the Department their complaint refers to and discuss their concerns with them. A
complainant may find that the matter can be resolved at this stage. However, if that is not
the case the complainant should then:
Complete our online complaint form- https://www.boltoncc.ac.uk/pub/complaint.php
Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?
All information provided by participants will be dealt with confidentiality and be
safeguarded during and after the study. Personal details, such as name and address, will
not be used in the study and the information provided will be unrecognisable to your
identity.
In line with Bolton Colleges Data Protection Policy (2013), the following procedures shall
be met when dealing with the participants personal data:
Will be relevant and not excessive for those purposes.
Not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose.
Be kept safe from unauthorised access, accidental loss or destruction.
Will be password protected
The data found in this study will be used to demonstrate how the LRC has supported the
Six Book Challenge at Bolton College. The final piece of research will be available for
authorised people at Bolton College and Manchester Metropolitan University.

What will happen if I dont carry on with the study?

If deciding to withdraw from the study, you information and data collected will be destroyed
and removed from all study files.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
Unless other consent is provided, your participation will not be identifiable in this study.
The data found will be included and evaluate in the researchers dissertation (in fulfilment
of a Masters in Library and Information Management, at Manchester Metropolitan
University) and publication of the material is unlikely.
Who is organising or sponsoring the research?
This project is self-funded by the researcher.
Further information and contact details:
Please see the following categories to find the relevant contact details
General information about research
More information on the Six Book Challenge: http://sixbookchallenge.org.uk/
Contact the Reading Agency: http://sixbookchallenge.org.uk/contact-us
Researcher details:
Name: Rachel Webb
Email: raewebb1990@gmail.com
Telephone: 01204 482176
Bolton College Customer Services:customer.services@boltoncc.ac.uk
Bolton College Reception: 01204 482000