Consent form for persons participating in a research project
Defining the phenotype of absolute pitch
Name of Responsible Researcher: Professor Sarah Wilson
Name of Additional Researchers: Ms. Jane Bairnsfather (PhD student), Dr Margaret Osborne (co-supervisor)
I consent to participate in this project. The purpose of this research is to investigate the range
of pitch-naming ability among musicians.
I understand that this project is for research purposes only and not for treatment.
In this project I will be required to complete a questionnaire about my musical experience and
that of my family, provide some basic demographic information, and complete two pitch-
naming tasks involving listening to presented sounds and identifying them. The details of this
have been explained in the Plain Language Statement which I have been given a copy to keep.
I understand that there are risks involved in participating in this research project. Specifically,
the way you feel about your pitch-naming ability may be affected by how well you perform
on these tasks. For this reason, you will not be provided with a “score” at the conclusion of
the tasks. The tasks are designed to be challenging, even for those with very high-accuracy
pitch-naming ability, so please do not feel discouraged if you find them difficult.
My participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw from the project at any time
without explanation or prejudice and to withdraw any unprocessed data I have provided.
Withdrawing from the project will not affect my relationship with the Melbourne School of
Psychological Sciences. Specifically, it will not affect any ongoing assessment/grades or
treatment that I would otherwise be eligible for.
I have been informed that the data from this research will be stored at the University of
Melbourne and will be destroyed after five years.
I have been informed that the confidentiality of the information I provide will be safeguarded
subject to any legal requirements; my data will be password protected and accessible only by
the named researchers.
I understand that after I return this consent form, it will be retained by the researcher.
Thank you for considering to participate in this research study.