Focus Group Information Leaflet
Study Overview
Study Title: Publish OA Ireland: Appraisal and analysis of current landscape of Irish publishing
What is this study about? This study aims to gather feedback to evaluate the current landscape of publishing in Ireland, particularly regarding open access.
Why is this study important? It is important as information obtained should inform the national Diamond OA publishing platform established as part of this project to be made available to all publishers in Ireland.
What will be required of me if I agree to participate? We would like to undertake one focus group session with you and other publishers operational on the island of Ireland who have volunteered to participate in the study. The focus group session should last approximately 90 minutes in duration. This will take place face-to-face or remotely via Microsoft Teams, Zoom or via telephone. Questions will cover some information for control purposes, along with questions relating to the publishing landscape and publishing practices in Ireland, particularly relating to open access.
Will anyone know you have been involved? The other participants who have volunteered to par-take in the focus group will know you have been involved. However, any data created from this session will be anonymised.
Could there be problems if you take part? We do not plan to discuss any sensitive issues as part of this study, however, if you choose to participate you will be entitled to skip a question and/or stop the focus group at any time should you feel uncomfortable and/or not wish to answer.
What will happen to the results of the research? Results from focus groups will be anonymised and no more than 3 years after final data collection date, placed in appropriate data repositories, under a creative commons license. Study results will be shared in the form of a landscape and gap analysis as well as a final project report and feasibility study. Furthermore, it is the intention of the applicants to share the research findings in open access peer-reviewed journals. The reporting of data gathered will not be concerned with individual responses as responses will be aggregated to deliver information organised by emerging themes. Where it is necessary to include quotes from individuals to support findings, permission will be secured in advance. Data will be stored securely on a cloud-based drive within the Royal Irish Academy system for no more than three years after final data collection date.
Do you have to take part? There are no consequences for any individual who wishes to read the information leaflet and consent form and decide to not take part in the study.
Can I change my mind and withdraw from the research? Yes, you are under no obligation to take part in this study. It is your own choice to agree to participate.
Is there a specific time that I need to withdraw consent? You can stop or leave the focus group at any point without explanation. Shortly after the focus group concludes, we will share the focus group report. You may choose to withdraw the information you have shared up to two weeks afterwards. After this point, the information shared will be added to data from other participants and it will no longer be possible to withdraw the data.
What happens when I withdraw from the research? All of your data will be destroyed and will not be included for the purpose of data analysis.
Contact for further information: If you have any questions before deciding whether to participate, please contact Lucy Hogan, Project Manager (l.hogan@ria.ie).
This study has received ethical approval from Munster Technological University (Research Ethics Approval No: MTU-HREC-MR-23-017-A, 12 May 2023).
If you have any questions about the above research study, wish to exercise your rights as a research participant, or wish to make a complaint, please send an email with details to the Human Research Ethics Committee, Munster Technological University, on hrec@mtu.ie so that they can look into the issue and respond to you.
Kind regards,
Publish OA Team