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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the EMERGE study?
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EMERGE stands for Examining Migration and the Epidemiology of Resistance in Groups in Europe. This research focuses on three different levels of factors that may be impacting on the development and spread of antibiotic resistance, including individual (micro), health systems (meso), and transnational (macro) factors. It is led by Dr Laura Nellums, Assistant Professor in Global Health at the University of Nottingham (School of Medicine).
What is the purpose of EMERGE research?
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Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. There is very little evidence around what risks migrant groups may experience for developing or being infected infections that are resistant to antibiotics, for example exposure to overcrowded living conditions, poor access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene, or barriers to accessing care. The aim of the EMERGE research project is to generate new evidence on AMR in migrant populations, at micro, meso, and macro levels, to reduce poor health outcomes and protect public health.
Why I have been invited to take a part?
You have been invited to take part in this research because your experience, as a migrant or healthcare provider, is essential for us to understand the circumstances and factors that may be contributing to AMR before, during, and after the migration journeys to Europe. We are interested in exploring your knowledge and experience of health needs and antibiotics, and your perceptions about accessing healthcare and sources of obtaining antibiotics.
Do I have to take part in this study?
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No. It is up to you to decide if you want to take part in this research. We will describe the study and go through this information sheet with you to answer any questions you may have. If you agree to participate, we will ask you to sign a consent form and will give you a copy to keep. However, you would still be free to withdraw from the study at any time, without giving a reason and without any negative consequences, by advising the researchers of this decision. This would not affect your legal rights. If you are a student at the University of Nottingham, there would be no disadvantages to your study or to you personally if you decide not to take part in this study, or if you decide to withdraw at any point.
What will happen if I take part?
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Participating in EMERGE research can be done through attending a conversational interview, filling out a short questionnaire, or sending a photograph as a part of the Photo Voice project. If you decide to take part, one of the researchers will contact you to advise further on when and where and how to participate based on your preferences as well as send you some online forms to read and fill in
What will happen to the provided data?
We will keep all information about you safe and secure. To help ensure your privacy, you will be assigned a volunteer study identification number (for example P01 for participant number 1), and it will be used instead of your name. Your name and any information about you will not be disclosed outside the study team. We will store your contact details if you have requested to receive a summary of findings. Additionally, the digital photos will be given unique codes and any dates or personal information will be deleted so it cannot be identified or linked to you in any way. Your contact details will then be securely deleted. Only the research team will be able to access your contact details and the provided data for the purpose of conducting the research properly.
Data will be used for research purposes only and in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations. Electronic storage devices will be encrypted while transferring and saving of all sensitive data generated in the course of the research. All such data are kept on password-protected databases sitting on a restricted access computer system, and any paper information would be stored safely in lockable cabinets in a swipe-card secured building and would only be accessed by the research team. Your consent information will be kept separately from your interview transcript so there is no risk of re-identification.
What will happen if I do not want to curry on with the study?
Agreeing to participate in this project does not oblige you to remain in the study nor have any further obligation to this study. If, at any stag you wish to withdraw from the project for any reason, please inform the research team and they will ensure your immediate withdrawal. You can withdraw from the project for any reason at any time, and you do not need to specify a reason for your withdrawal. You should note that anonymised information you share in the research may be used in the production of formal research outputs (e.g. journal articles, conference papers, theses and reports) prior to your withdrawal and so you are advised to contact the research team at the earliest opportunity should you wish to withdraw from the study. To safeguard your rights, we will use the minimum personally-identifiable information possible. On specific request we will destroy all your identifiable answers, but we will need to use the data collected and anonymised prior to your withdrawal, and to maintain our records of your consenting participation.
The anonymised results of this study will be summarised in published articles, reports, and presentations. By consenting to participate in this project, you are agreeing to the use of your anonymised de-identified data in analysis and outputs. Quotes or key findings will always be made anonymous in any formal outputs unless we have your prior and explicit written permission to attribute them to you by name. Your anonymised data will be stored for a minimum of 7 years and may be used in future ethically approved research.
What will happen to the results of the research?
Has this research had ethical approval?
Yes, all research involving people is looked at by an independent group of people, called a Research Ethics Committee, to protect your interests. This study has been reviewed and given favourable opinion by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee
Who is organising and funding the research?
This study is funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences, and is being carried out at the University of Nottingham.
Are there any risks in taking part?
We understand that these topics may be sensitive, and it may be challenging to talk about some of your experiences or concerns, and we appreciate you sharing them with us. However, there are no other significant risks associated with participation. Personal or emotional risks involved are small – that is, they are equivalent to the possible stress faced by participants who discuss their experiences with friends, family or workplace colleagues. Should you feel uncomfortable sharing your opinion or experience at any time, you can decline to answer any question at any time. Likewise, you may withdraw from the project at any time for any reason.
Are there any benefits in taking part?
By sharing your experiences with us, you will be helping Dr Laura Nellums and the EMERGE project team to better understand Individual level factors contributing to drug resistance in migrant populations and, ultimately, to generate new evidence on AMR to reduce poor health outcomes and protect public health.
What if there is a problem?
It is very unlikely that you would be harmed by taking part in this type of research study. However, if you have a concern about any aspect of this project, please contact the Principal Investigator (Dr Laura Nellums, Laura.Nellums@Nottingham.ac.uk) who will do her best to answer your query. The researcher should acknowledge your concern and give you an indication of how he/she intends to deal with it. If you remain unhappy and wish to complain formally, you can do this by contacting the FMHS Research Ethics Committee Administrator, Faculty Hub, Medicine and Health Sciences, E41, E Floor, Medical School, Queen’s Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, NG7 2UH or via E-mail: FMHS-ResearchEthics@nottingham.ac.uk.
What if I have any other questions?
If you would like to discuss the research with someone beforehand (or if you have questions afterwards), please do not hesitate to contact us here: