Introduction to the Research Study

You are being invited to participate in a research study by completing an anonymous survey. The information below will explain why the research is being carried out and what it will involve. Read the following information carefully in order to determine whether you would like to participate. This study is being conducted by Kathryn Perrone, an MSc student in Dublin City University’s Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society programme. She can be contacted at kathryn.perrone2@mail.dcu.ie. 

This study is titled ‘An Analysis of Sustainable Commuting Strategies for Higher Education Institutions.’ The study will evaluate current sustainability practices at higher education institutions that aim to reduce emissions from student commuting. The study will utilise an anonymous survey distributed to university students and staff to provide recommendations regarding new strategies that universities can implement to encourage sustainable commuting methods. 

Data collected as part of the project will not be associated with any direct identifying information. All information gathered from participants will be stored securely. Electronic data will be password protected by the Data Controller, Dublin City University (DCU). The DCU Data Protection Officer is Mr. Martin Ward (data.protection@dcu.ie  Ph.: 7005118 / 7008257) and he can be contacted in order to access your personal data. Confidentiality of information can only be protected within the limitations of the law - i.e., it is possible for data to be subject to subpoena, freedom of information claim or mandated reporting by some professions

Data collected from the survey will be processed by the researcher, Kathryn Perrone. She will not have access to any personal identifying information. When you complete the survey, you will be assigned a randomly generated ID. This generated ID is completely anonymous and the researcher has no way of knowing to whom a specific ID belongs. The survey will ask for your association with your university, your method of commuting to your university and your perspective on how different sustainability policies, if implemented, would impact your choice of commuting method. All data collected will be destroyed by December 2023. 

It is up to you to decide whether or not to participate in the research study. If you decide to participate, you are still free to withdraw from the study at any time and without giving any reason. Once you withdraw from the study, no future data collection will take place. Because of the anonymous nature of the survey, previously collected data will still be processed. 

If you have concerns about this study and wish to contact an independent person, please contact:

The Secretary, Dublin City University Research Ethics Committee, c/o Research and Innovation Support, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.  Tel 01-7008000, e-mail rec@dcu.ie