The Lie of the Land - Share your experience of deception

Important information

About this research

The aim of this research is to find out what people know about deception and deceptive skill. We all encounter lies in our everyday life and we would like to understand what insights this experience has given you.

If you are taking part for the Research Participation Scheme, or as Part of Practical Issues, please make sure to include your email address at the end of the survey, so that your 2.5 credits can be promptly applied. If you fail to do so, you will not be able to claim your credits.

The study is part of a programme of deception research by two members of LittleMonkeyLab at Goldsmiths, University of London. Dr. Jo Kenrick (jkenr002@gold.ac.uk) and Dr. Gordon Wright, a Lecturer in Psychology (g.wright@gold.ac.uk).

Your participation is completely voluntary and you are entitled to stop at any point. All responses are completely anonymous. You can also skip any questions you don’t wish to answer. The study has been approved by the Psychology ethics committee at Goldsmiths University and we don’t anticipate there being any risks to you from participating. You must be 18 years old or over to participate.

What's involved?

Answer a few (optional) questions about yourself such as age and gender, but nothing that can identify you as an individual.
Fill in a survey containing a personality measure and a series of questions about deception and liars. These are broad questions and there are no right or wrong answers. For example ‘What makes someone good at lying?’

How long will it take?

The total time to complete all of the possible questions is approximately 30 minutes. You can save your responses and return to the survey as long as you finish within 1 week of beginning (after that incomplete responses are deleted).

What will happen to my data?

The raw data collected (your answers to the survey questions together with all the responses from other participants) will be analysed to establish patterns in responses. All data will be stored securely and will be accessible only to researchers working on this project. If you stop before finishing the survey, any responses you have provided up to that point will be destroyed.

It is possible that data from this survey will be used in published articles in academic journals. It is also possible that either Jo Kenrick or Gordon Wright will draw on the results of this study when preparing presentations for conferences and public lectures. None of this would identify you individually.

Can I be personally identified?

We will not be asking you any personal questions that could identify you (like name or email address), therefore your anonymity will be preserved. If you choose to give us information about your experience of deception, or liars you have met, please avoid including any identifying information.

What about data protection and GDPR and all of that?

The following page contains detailed information about your rights under GDPR legislation. Since many people don't read such information a brief but not exhaustive summary is below.

We are collecting your data with your consent (see informed consent page below) and you are free to withdraw that consent at any time before submitting your responses. Once your survey answers are submitted, it will not be possible to identify your responses individually and so after this point you cannot request access to your data to have it amended or removed.

The Data Controller in this context is Jo Kenrick (jkenr002@gold.ac.uk) and the contact email for the Goldsmiths Data Protection Officer is dp@gold.ac.uk

As in all cases of data protection, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner by contacting the ICO in writing – Wycliffe House, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF or telephone 01625 545 700

	Yes	No
I have read and understood the study information above. I have been able to ask questions about the study and my questions have been answered to my satisfaction.	Yes	No
I consent voluntarily to contribute to this research by answering survey questions and understand that I can refuse to answer any questions and I can withdraw from the study at any time, without having to give a reason.	Yes	No
I understand that taking part in the study involves completing the following online survey which asks questions about my opinions, beliefs and experiences of lying and deception.	Yes	No
I confirm that I am 18 years old or over	Yes	No
I understand that information I provide will be used for research conducted at Goldsmiths university. Once anonymised and analysed together with the responses of other participants, the information I provide may be used in a doctoral dissertation, published articles in academic journals or as part of the content of conference presentations or public talks.	Yes	No
I agree that my answers to survey questions can be quoted in research outputs once completely anonymised.	Yes	No