Informed Consent
Interaction between temperament and aspects of personal environment: A pilot and validation study of the SEP-STQ questionnaire
Local Principal Investigator:
Dr. Irina Trofimova
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Email: trofimi@mcmaster.ca
Student Investigators:
Hussain Sindhu
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Email: sindhh1@mcmaster.ca
Purpose of the Study
You are invited to participate in a survey-based research study investigating the relationship between an individual's temperament and the environment they construct around themselves. The aim of this research is to pilot and validate a novel questionnaire (SEP-STQ) that assesses both temperament and personal environment.
Procedures Involved in the Research
If you choose to participate, you will be directed to an online survey. The survey includes a demographics section, a section assessing the surrounding environment, and a section assessing temperament. The study will take approximately 40 minutes to complete, is completely anonymous, and you may withdraw at any point before submission.
Potential Harms, Risks, or Discomforts
This is a low-risk study. However, you may feel discomfort when answering some questions (e.g., medical and psychiatric history, weight, gender). These questions are optional and not required for participation. You may withdraw at any point before submission without penalty, and your data will be destroyed.
There is a small risk of loss of privacy in the event of a data breach. All efforts will be made to protect confidentiality. Survey responses are anonymous, data are securely stored, and access is restricted to the research team. All information stored on the McMaster LimeSurvey secure server is encrypted before being written to disk and remains encrypted when not in use.
After the study is completed, anonymized data may be uploaded to an open public database to support Open Science and future research.
Potential Benefits
The results of this study may help clarify the relationships between temperament, the surrounding environment, and mental health. This knowledge may support more precise interventions by directing attention to key environmental factors that may be important in therapeutic contexts.
Confidentiality
Participation in this study is confidential. Survey responses are completely anonymous, and no directly identifying information will be collected. Data are stored on the McMaster LimeSurvey password-protected secure server and encoded anonymously.
Upon submission, LimeSurvey automatically assigns a unique, random 10-digit ID. All data are encrypted before being written to the server disk and remain encrypted when not in use.
Please note that through combinations of demographic variables (e.g., gender, age, ethnicity), it may be possible to identify some participants. Consider this when deciding whether to participate.
Legally Required Disclosure
Privacy will be protected as described above. If legal authorities request the information you have provided, access may be granted as required by law.
By participating, you do not waive any legal rights.
For monitoring and regulatory purposes, representatives of the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HiREB), McMaster University, and affiliated institutions may review identifiable research data to ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards. By participating, you authorize such access.
Participation and Withdrawal
Participation is voluntary. You may withdraw at any time before submission by clicking "Exit and clear survey" at the top of the survey window, which will erase your data. Once responses are submitted, withdrawal is no longer possible because the data are anonymous.
Information About the Study Results
The study is expected to be written up by approximately April 8, 2026. To request a brief overview of the findings, please email:
Hussain Sindhu (sindhh1@mcmaster.ca)
Use the subject line:
"Request for overview of findings for Temperament and Specialized Extended Phenotype study"
Questions About the Study
For questions or additional information about the study, contact the student investigators:
Hussain Sindhu – sindhh1@mcmaster.ca
HiREB Statement
This study has been reviewed by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HiREB). HiREB ensures that participants are informed of research risks and are free to decide whether participation is appropriate for them.
For questions about your rights as a research participant, contact:
Office of the Chair, HiREB
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 42013
Consent
I have read the information presented about the study conducted by Irina Trofimova and Hussain Sindhu of McMaster University.
I have had the opportunity to ask questions and receive additional information.
I understand that I may withdraw at any time before submission by clicking "Exit and clear survey," but not after submission because responses are anonymous.
By clicking "Next," I indicate that I understand the information above and consent to participate in this study.
