Name of Project: How do predators respond to insect and spider prey?
You are invited to participate in a study of insects and spiders. The purpose of the study is to understand predator responses to invertebrate prey such as insects and spiders, as assessed by human observers.
The study is being conducted by Prof Marie Herberstein (marie.herberstein@mq.edu.au; 98506276), Mr Jim (Donald) Mclean (donald.mclean@hdr.mq.edu.au; 98506279) and Mr Michael Kelly (michael.kelly9@hdr.mq.edu.au; 98506279), all from the Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University.
Mr Mclean and Mr Kelly are PhD students and the research as being conducted will meet the requirements of their PhDs under the supervision of Prof Marie Herberstein, Department of Biological Sciences.
If you decide to participate, you will be asked to view a number of images of insects and spiders and tell us if you think they are ants or not. You will be asked to score a total of 30 images, and the task will take less than 3 minutes. From your responses we will obtain the frequency with which each image is considered to be an ant as well as the time it took each participant to score each image.
Any information or personal details gathered in the course of the study are confidential, except as required by law. No individual will be identified in any publication of the results. A summary of the results of the data can be made available to you on request via email. Participation in this study is entirely voluntary: you are not obliged to participate and if you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without having to give a reason and without consequence.
The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any complaints or reservations about any ethical aspect of your participation in this research, you may contact the Committee through the Director, Research Ethics & Integrity (telephone (02) 9850 7854; email ethics@mq.edu.au). Any complaint you make will be treated in confidence and investigated, and you will be informed of the outcome.
By clicking I agree below, I agree that I have read (or, where appropriate, have had read to me) and understand the information above and any questions I have asked have been answered to my satisfaction. I agree to participate in this research, knowing that I can withdraw from further participation in the research at any time without consequence.