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Visual Diary Protocol
(A copy of this is given to participants)

To assist with understanding the place of drug use in people's lives we are giving people the opportunity to create short visual diaries. These visual diaries allow people to tell their own story about aspects of their lives that may be best shown without words. There are two types of diary, one with still images and the other with a digital video. This part of the study is optional and there are protocols for doing a diary.

The diary can be for you, for the researchers or for publication on this study website (http://www.bodydrugsworld.unimelb.edu.au), it is up to you to decide what happens to the diary. If it is put on the study website, you can decide how long it will be available for viewing. Please read the protocols before deciding whether to participate in this part of the study. Although you can always change your mind about doing a visual diary, check the consent form to make sure your intentions are clear before you start.

A. Digital still images
A.1 This form of data collection will only start after the participant has been fully informed and consent has been granted through the informed consent process for the study.

A.2 Participants are to collect images only using the camera provided, and only under the supervision of the researcher. Participants are to operate the camera and to collect the data themselves, or direct the researcher to operate the equipment so as to enable them to directly address the camera. A written commentary can accompany the images.

A.3 Digital still cameras can provide instant review of the images collected. Participants are encouraged to review the images at the time of shooting, and to confirm or reject those images to be given to the researchers.

A.4 Digital still images are not to include the image of the face of anyone. No pixellation of faces in images will be done in editing. Images containing faces will be discarded at the point of data collection.

A.5 Still images will be collated and reproduced for publication in academic materials. A small number of visual diaries will be presented on the study website to illustrate the method being used and to feedback the results of the study to participants, stakeholders and the broader community.


B. Video stories
B.1 This form of data collection will only start after the participant has been fully informed and consent has been granted through the usual informed consent process for the study.

B.2 Participants are to collect images only using the camera provided, and only under the supervision of the researcher. Participants are to operate the camera and to collect the data themselves, or direct the researcher to operate the equipment so as to enable them to directly address the camera.

B.3 Digital video cameras can provide instant review of the material collected. Participants are encouraged to review the images collected at the time of shooting, and to confirm or reject the material to be given to the researchers.

B.3 Digital video is not to include the images of the faces of anyone or reference to individual names or identities. No pixellation of faces in video material will be done in editing. Material containing faces will be discarded at the point of data collection.

B.4 Video material will be collated and reproduced for publication in academic materials. A small number of video diaries will be presented on the study website to illustrate the method being used and to feedback the results of the study to participants, stakeholders and the broader community.

B.5 Video material viewed on the study website can be accompanied by an audio voicetrack. On request, the researchers can re-voice a commentary in order to protect the anonymity of the diary maker.


C. Confirmation of publication
C.1 A "cooling off" period of 14 days will be implemented between data collection and publication of the material in any format (academic or study website). In this period the participant is encouraged to review the material with the researcher.

C.2 If material is to be placed on the website, material will only be available for viewing on the website for a period of time determined by the study participant on their consent form.

C.3 Materials not used for publication will be archived according to the University requirements.

C.4 No visual diary materials collected in the course of this project can be used for any other purposes other than those specified in the project.

C.5 Study participants can receive a copy of the visual diary for their own records. They are advised to assess the risk inherent in this material in the same way that they assess the risk associated with any photograph they take themselves or in any video that shoot for their own purposes.

Phone: (03) 8344 3503
Email: info-bodydrugsworld@unimelb.edu.au