Prior relationship history and attractiveness

You are being invited to take part in some research. Before you decide whether or not to participate, it is important for you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it will involve. Please read the following information carefully.

What is the purpose of the research?
The purpose of this research is to examine differences in what people look for in a romantic partner. Specifically, we wish to explore associations between hypothetical partners’ sexual histories and how attractive you regard these people to be. We are also looking at factors that might affect attractiveness ratings.

Who is carrying out the research?
The data are being collected by William Costello and Paula Wright (Brunel University London) and Dr Andrew G. Thomas (Swansea University). The research has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Swansea University's Psychology Department.

What happens if I agree to take part?
You will only be able to take part in this survey if you are over the age of 18. The study involves completing some questionnaires. The first will ask for some background information about you, including your age, sex and sexual orientation. The second will include tasks which involve rating the attractiveness of some hypothetical romantic partners when looking at their sexual history. The third will ask about sexual thoughts, attitudes and experiences. Finally, you will be asked for your opinions on the extent to which a range of characteristics describe yourself. The study should take around 8-10 minutes to complete.

Note that some of the questions relate to topics of a personal nature. You are reminded that you do not have to answer any questions you do not wish to. Also, your responses will be anonymous- the questionnaire will not ask you to provide your name.

Are there any risks associated with taking part?
There is some risk of psychological distress at being asked to discuss sensitive topics that could relate to past trauma. If you feel affected by issues raised by this research and would like to discuss any concerns, please contact the study Supervisor on the details provided below. If you have any health concerns relating to issues associated with the research topic, we advise you to contact your GP (family doctor). Swansea University students can also contact the University’s Wellbeing services (Wellbeing Services, Horton Building, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Tel: 01792 295592, www.swansea.ac.uk/wellbeing/).

Data Protection and Confidentiality
Your data will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR). All information collected about you will be kept strictly confidential. Your data will only be viewed by the research team led by Dr Andrew G. Thomas, Department of Psychology, Swansea University. All electronic data will be stored on a password-protected computer file on the research team’s local university networks. Your consent information will be kept separately from your responses to minimise risk in the event of a data breach. Once analysed, all collected, and anonymised data will be stored and publicly shared on the OSF profile of the project.

Please note that the data we will collect for our study will be made anonymous from the outset, thus it will be very difficult to identify and remove your data at a later date. Therefore, if at the end of this research you decide to have your data withdrawn, please let us know as soon as possible.

International Data Transfers: Your anonymised data will be stored and processed by an international research team led by researchers from the UK. Some members of this research team may be based in counties outside of the European Economic Area (EEA). Please note that countries outside of the EEA may not offer the same level of data privacy protection as in the UK.

What will happen to the information I provide?
An analysis of the information will form part of our report at the end of the study and may be presented to interested parties and published in scientific journals and related media. Note that all information presented in any reports or publications will be anonymous and unidentifiable.

Is participation voluntary and what if I wish to withdraw during the study?
Your participation is entirely voluntary – you do not have to participate if you do not want to. If you decide to participate in the study, but later change your mind and wish to stop, then you are free to do so at any time, without giving a reason and without penalty, by closing your internet browser.

Data Protection Privacy Notice
The data controller for this project will be Swansea University. The University Data Protection Officer provides oversight of university activities involving the processing of personal data, and can be contacted at the Vice Chancellors Office: dataprotection@swansea.ac.uk. Swansea University’s Data Protection Officer is Bev Buckley and she may be contacted at b.y.buckley@swansea.ac.uk.

Your personal data will be processed for the purposes outlined in this information sheet.

Standard ethical procedures will involve you providing your consent to participate in this study by completing the consent form that has been provided to you. However, the legal basis on which this task is being performed is public interest, approved by the departmental Research Ethics Committee.

If you are concerned about how your personal data is being processed, please contact Swansea University’s Data Protection Officer at b.y.buckley@swansea.ac.uk. Details of your individual rights are available on the ICO website at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-reform/overview-of-the-gdpr/individuals-rights/.

What if I have other questions?
If you have further questions about this research, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Consent form

Before you can participate in the study, you will need to indicate your consent to being a participant.

By clicking ‘I consent’ you are giving your consent to participate and that:

• You have read the Participant Information Sheet (version 1, dated 22/03/2019), which is attached to this form


• You agree to take part in the study


• You understand that participation is voluntary and also that you are free to withdraw from the research, for any reason and without prejudice


• You understand that as part of the study I will be asked questions of a sensitive nature.


• You understand what your role will be in this research, and all your questions have been answered to your satisfaction


• You have been informed that the information you provide will be safeguarded


• You are happy for the information you provide to be used anonymously in academic papers and other formal research outputs


• You agree to the researchers processing your personal data in accordance with the aims of the study described in the participant information


• You are aged 18 years or above.

By clicking the "I agree" button below, you are confirming that you have read and agree with all of the statements above and wish to participate in the study