Fiona Smith PhD Focus Groups Questionnaire
Participant Information Sheet (Focus Group Discussion)
Brief overview of the researcher and the study:
My name is Fiona Smith, and I am undertaking a Psychology PhD at the University of Huddersfield. My research aims to explore UK and Norway contesting brass band players’ and conductors’ experiences and perceptions of being open about Music Performance Anxiety (MPA). Additionally, I will look at how cultural traditions, values and beliefs might shape the above experiences and perceptions.
Who can take part?
You must be 18 years of age or over, you should have or have had experience of playing in and/or conducting a ‘British’ style contesting brass band within the UK or Norway regularly (i.e. at least once a month) and within the last 10 years, and you should be able to speak English or provide a translator. The focus group will be conducted online, so you must also have access to Microsoft Teams and have a good internet connection.
Focus group discussion information:
What will I be asked to do?
You will be invited to take part in an audio recorded focus group discussion with approximately 5 other individuals – the recording is needed for the purposes of the analysis and will be undertaken using the Microsoft Teams recording function. The discussion will be approximately 60 to 90 minutes. At the start of the discussion, you will be asked to provide a brief account of your brass banding history, and following this, I will then ask you questions that relate to your experiences and perceptions of being open about Music Performance Anxiety (MPA). Because it is a group discussion, please remember to always respect everyone in the group and allow each person to voice their opinion!
Do I have to take part?
The focus group discussion is voluntary, and you have the right to not answer specific questions. You also have the right to withdraw during the discussion. Afterwards, you may also withdraw your data (see What do I need to do if I want to withdraw from the study? for further details). Because your health and safety is paramount, you will receive a short debrief sheet via email after the discussion which will include my contact details, and some support websites and helplines should you need them.
How will my answers be stored, and will my information be kept anonymous and confidential throughout?
Any information you provide will only be accessible to me, will be stored in password-protected files on my University OneDrive, and will always be kept confidential by me. Furthermore, you will remain anonymous in any subsequent written material that I undertake (i.e., thesis, journal and/or other publications) and any information I receive during the study will be kept for a maximum of 10 years, according to the University Guidelines.
What will the information I provide be used for?
The findings from the research will be used in my PhD thesis and in academic publications, on various brass band news website outlets, and on my own Facebook research page.
What do I need to do if I want to withdraw from the study?
If you wish to withdraw from the study, you can do so at any time, without giving a reason. However, you will only be given 2 weeks after the focus group date to request that your data be removed as analysis will have begun. To withdraw from the study, you should send me an email (see Contact and support information) requesting this.
Contact and support information:
If you have any questions in relation to my study, please do not hesitate to contact me (Fiona Smith) on fiona.smith@hud.ac.uk. You can also contact my Supervisor, Warren Gillibrand at w.p.gillibrand@hud.ac.uk.
Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Infoline: 03444 775 774
Text service: 07537 416 905
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk
Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393
Email service: info@mind.org.uk
NHS Mental Health Services: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/