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Information to research participants

We would like to ask you if you would like to participate in a research project. This project studies risk communication, responsibility and preparedness. In this document you will find information about the project and what participation entails.

We invite participants living in Sweden. You do not need any particular knowledge about crisis preparedness, we are more interested in learning about your ideas about and experiences of crisis preparedness.

What kind of project is this and why would you like me to participate?

In this research project we are interested in learning about the capabilities and willingness to manage large societal crises disasters among the population in Sweden. The crises and disasters we are studying are for example extreme weather events, violence in public spaces, or malfunctioning and disturbances in energy and communication infrastructure. The knowledge generated in the project will contribute to better communication to the public from responsible agencies, which in its’ turn will lead to better capacities to handle large societal crises in the Swedish society.

The research activity that we invite you to participate in is related to peoples’ capacities to manage in a situation where there is a threat of violence in a public space.

The accountable authority responsible for this project is Mid Sweden University [Mittuniversitetet]. This project is approved by the Ethical Review Authority. The reference number for this project at the Ethical Review Authority is 2024-04875.

How to participate in the project

Your participation in the project means that you will come to Mid Sweden University in Östersund and take part in an experiment at the RCR Simulation Lab. The RCR Simulation Lab is a simulation environment where we can display images in 360 degrees and add light and sound effects to simulate different environments in society. In this particular experiment, we have created an art gallery with an event where fictional photographs from various conflict zones are displayed. A few days before the experiment, you will receive information via SMS that a threat has been made against the event. The SMS is part of the experiment itself and will be titled 'IMPORTANT:
Experiment!'. The SMS will include details about the measures taken to increase security, as well as what individual visitors should keep in mind. A few minutes after the first SMS, you will receive another one with a question you need to answer with YES or NO

On the day the experiment is conducted, you will be in the simulation room with other participants for approximately 20 minutes. You will not see any violence or injured individuals in the photos shown. However, unexpected but not dangerous situations may arise. Sound and video of what happens will be recorded using microphones and cameras in the room during the experiment.

Once the experiment is completed, we will have a joint debriefing session in a room next to the simulation room. There, you and the other participants will have the opportunity to discuss how you experienced the experiment and how to prepare for various risks and crises in society. Refreshments will be provided during the debriefing session. The debriefing will take about 20-30 minutes.

About six months after you have participated in the experiment, you will be invited to take part in a brief follow-up survey. The survey will ask questions about how participating in the experiment has influenced your thoughts on risks and crises in society.

Possible consequences of participation

Participation in the experiment may make you feel uncomfortable as you will be in a situation that may be perceived as unsafe and where there is a threat, even if the threat is not realised. If you feel uncomfortable and need psychological support in connection with the experiment, professionals with expertise in handling stressful incidents will be present. If you continue to feel discomfort after participating in the project, you can contact the lead researcher for information on where to seek
further help.

If you have prior experience of violent and/or traumatic events, or if you feel uncomfortable being in a room without windows, it is not advisable for you to participate. We, the research team, will be monitoring and hearing everything that happens in the simulation room, and you can leave the room or get our attention at any time to stop your participation in the experiment.

What happens with my information?

All information about participants is handled in accordance with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Mid Sweden University's document management plan. The study's results will be reported without revealing personal details or linking them to you.

The project will collect and record information about you. The information we collect consists of what you say and do inside the RCR Simulation Lab, as well as the responses you provide if you choose to answer the follow-up survey. The processing of your personal data is necessary to conduct research that is in the public interest (GDPR, Art 6, p.1e).

Your responses and results will be handled in such a way that unauthorized individuals cannot access them. After the project period, the material will be archived in secure systems at Mid Sweden University and according to the university’s regulations, necessary for the research in question.

The controller responsible for your personal data is Mid Sweden University. According to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, you have the right to access the information about you that is handled in the project free of charge, and to have any errors corrected if necessary. You can also request that your information be deleted, and that the processing of your personal data be restricted. However, the right to deletion and the restriction of processing does not apply when the data is necessary for the research in question. If you want to access your data, you should contact the lead researcher Minna Lundgren. You will find her contact details at the end of this information. You can also contact Mid Sweden University's Data Protection Officer at dataskyddsombudet@miun.se. If you are dissatisfied with how your personal data is being handled, you have the right to file a complaint with the Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection, which is the supervisory authority.

How can I be informed about the results of the project?

If you wish to partake of the results of the research project you can visit the project website: www.miun.se/rcr/mmm. You can also contact the principal investigator, Minna Lundgren.

Insurance and reimbursement

There is no compensation for participating in the experiment. During your participation in the experiment, you are covered by insurance from Kammarkollegiet, which Mid Sweden University arranges for you as a research participant.

Participation is voluntary

If you want to withdraw from the experiment during the session, you can leave the simulation room. Project staff will meet you outside.

If you wish to withdraw your participation before or after the experiment has been conducted, you should contact the lead researcher of the project.

If you have questions about the project or your participation before the experiment, you can contact the lead researcher or the project assistant, Lovis Lindquist.

Lead researcher

Minna Lundgren, Senior lecturer and principal investigator
Mid Sweden University
Department of humanities and social sciences       
831 25 Östersund      
010-142 88 19     
minna.lundgren@miun.se     
        

Researchers in the project

Erna Danielsson
Christine Grosse
Maja Klinga
Anna Olofsson
Emma Brännlund                                                               
Saman Rashid                                                                                                                                  
Sara Skott

Project assistant
Lovis Lindquist
Lovis.lindquist@miun.se
010-142 83 04    

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