University of Salford, Manchester
University of
Salford
MANCHESTER
Ethics ref 2026-15216-15788
Research Participants Wanted

The Jury Reasoning Study

A 45–60 minute interview exploring how people make judgements about responsibility and risk in a short, fictional forensic case. UK adults aged 18 or over.

⏱ 45–60 minutes 💻 Microsoft Teams or Salford campus 🎙 Audio-recorded 📄 Fictional case material
A small number of places (approx. 10–15)
Register your interest Find out more
About the study

What is this research about?

This study explores how members of the public reason about a short, fictional forensic case, including their judgements about responsibility, risk, and the most appropriate response. You will read the case material and discuss your views in a one-to-one interview. There are no right or wrong answers, and the case is entirely fictional. Your views help build understanding of how people interpret forensic information.

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The focus

How people judge responsibility and risk in a fictional forensic case.

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The format

One 45–60 minute interview, on Microsoft Teams or at Salford campus.

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What you'll do

Read and discuss fictional case material. No questions about your own life.

🎙️

Recording

The interview is audio-recorded so responses can be transcribed accurately.

Who can take part

Eligibility

Why take part

Benefits of participating

This is voluntary, unpaid research, but your contribution genuinely matters.

Help build understanding of how people interpret forensic information.
Take part flexibly — online or in person, at a time that suits you.
Contribute to a study reviewed and approved by the University of Salford Health Taught Ethics Panel.

Please note: participation is unpaid and voluntary. You may withdraw at any point without giving a reason.

Register your interest

Take part in the study

Registering your interest is not a commitment to take part. It simply lets the researcher send you the full information sheet so you can decide. Your details go directly to the researcher and are not shared with third parties.

A note on the topic

This study uses entirely fictional case material that touches on themes including mental health, aggression, and the criminal justice system. It contains no graphic detail, and you will not be asked about your own experiences. If you feel these themes might be distressing for you at the moment, it may not be the right time to take part. Full information, including details of support services, is provided before any interview.

What to expect

Here is exactly how taking part works, from start to finish.

  1. Register your interestComplete the short form below. When you press submit, your email app opens with your details ready — just press send. If it does not open, you can email the researcher directly using the address shown.
  2. Receive the information sheetThe researcher emails you the Participant Information Sheet. You will have at least 24 hours to read it and consider whether you wish to take part.
  3. Give your consentIf you decide to proceed, you complete and return a Consent Form before your interview is arranged. No interview takes place until this is signed.
  4. Your interviewOne 45 to 60 minute session on Microsoft Teams or at Salford campus. The researcher reconfirms your consent, you complete a brief anonymous demographic form, and then you read and discuss the fictional case. There are no right or wrong answers, and no questions about your personal life.
  5. AfterwardsYou receive a debrief with further information and support contacts. You may withdraw your data up to one week after your interview.

Good to know: participation is voluntary and unpaid, the interview is audio-recorded so responses can be transcribed accurately, and you may withdraw at any time without giving a reason. Only a small number of participants (approximately 10–15) are needed, so early registration is encouraged.

Please enter your name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please choose a preferred format.
Please tick all three confirmation boxes to continue.
How your data is used. If you register your interest, your name and email are used only to send you the Participant Information Sheet and to arrange your participation. Contact details are held securely on University of Salford-approved systems, stored separately from any research data, and destroyed once the withdrawal window has closed. The lawful basis for processing is your consent (Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR), and only the information needed is collected. Full details are set out in the Participant Information Sheet you will receive and in the University's research privacy notice.
Please give consent so the researcher can contact you.
Thank you — your email is ready to send.
Your email app should have opened with your details pre-filled. Please press send to register your interest. The researcher will then email you the information sheet.

If nothing opened, please email the researcher directly at D.Lockwood6@edu.salford.ac.uk with your name and preferred format.
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Know someone who could take part?

Only a small number of participants are needed. If you know any UK adults aged 18 or over who might be interested, please pass this code on. Scanning it opens this page.

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