This survey should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.
You can skip questions, but you must read the Participant Information Sheet below and answer the consent question to participate.
Participant Information Sheet
Dear Participant,
This anonymous survey forms part of a research project assessing people’s experiences of the Tasmanian coronial system. The research is conducted by the Tasmania Law Reform Institute (TLRI).
What is the purpose of this study?
The Attorney-General has requested that the TLRI examine and report on the systems established by the Coroners Act 1995. A comprehensive overview of the system is needed given: changes in community expectations of coronial processes; significant increases in the numbers of reportable deaths (e.g. in the aged care sector); and increases in the complexity of matters dealt with by the Coronial Division. In addition, Tasmania’s Coronial Division is reviewing the way in which it interacts with members of the public.
Why have I been invited to participate?
Feedback from people who have interacted with the Tasmanian coronial system will help to inform what amendments might be made to the Coroners Act 1995.
Participation in this survey is anonymous. It is also entirely voluntary. You can choose to take part or not. If you choose to participate, you can also choose to stop participating at any time. There will be no consequences for anyone who chooses not to take part in this study or who decides to stop participating at any time.
What will I be asked to do?
If you decide to take part in the study, you can answer the survey questions. You will need to answer the consent question to participate in the survey. You do not need to answer any other questions that you don’t want to.
Are there possible benefits from participation in this study?
This research may result in positive changes to the way in which the Tasmanian coronial system operates.
Are there possible risks from participation in this study?
This survey focuses on how the coronial system works. However, survey questions may raise sensitive topics for you. These topics might leave you wanting to discuss things with someone. If so, you might like to contact Beyond Blue (ph: 1300 22 4636) or Headspace (ph: 1800 650 890).
What if I change my mind during or after the study?
You can choose to quit the survey at any time during your participation. However, it will not be possible to delete your survey after it is submitted because we won’t know who you are.
What will happen to the information when this study is over?
All survey data will be stored on a password-protected server in the School of Law (University of Tasmania).
How will the results of the study be published?
The TLRI will publish its findings in a Final Report. This will be presented to the Attorney General, and it will be publicly available on the TLRI website. When we publish the study, we will mainly discuss general patterns across participants. Although we may use anonymous quotes to illustrate patterns in the data, we will not provide any information that could identify individual participants.
What if I have questions about this study?
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the research team at Law.Reform@utas.edu.au
This study has been approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). If you have concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study, you can contact the Executive Officer of the HREC on (03) 6226 6254 or email human.ethics@utas.edu.au. The Executive Officer is the person nominated to receive complaints from research participants. Please quote ethics reference number H40404.
Thank you for your participation.