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Frequently Asked Questions
Recruitment
Can I ask my friends to join the CLASS study?
Of course! If they are between 16 to 20 years old in Melbourne and are interested in the study, they can fill out an expression of interest form and we can send them some information.
Eligibility
How do I know if I am eligible for the study?
After you (or your parent if you are < 18 years old) fills out the expression of interest form, we will send you an email with more information about the study and a video to watch, and a survey to your parents with questions to see if you are eligible for the study. For example, if you take certain medications you might not be eligible because some medications can affect sleep patterns and make it difficult for us to answer our research questions accurately. After this we will arrange a time to speak to you and a parent over the phone. During the call, we will tell you more about the study so you can decide if you would like to participate.
Consent
I want to participate but my parents won't let me. Can I still be involved?
If you are < 18 years old, you will unfortunately not be able to be involved as we need your parent/guardian to sign a consent form to participate in the study.
If you are 18 years old and above, you are legally considered an adult and can sign the consent form to participate in the study without any parental involvement.
My parents want me to participate but I don't want to. Is that okay?
Yes. We can’t make you participate in the study if you don’t want to, even if your parent signs the consent form.
Completing Assessments
I can't travel to Monash University for the in-person assessments. Can I still participate?
The in-person assessment that we run during the study is the body clock assessment (three appointments over two years. These assessments can only be done in-person at Monash University (Notting Hill campus) because we need to use special equipment. We require you to be able to attend these appointments to participate in the study. However, if travel to Monash University is difficult for you, we might be able to help. Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss possible options.
I only want to do some of the assessments. Is that okay?
When you sign up to the study, we would like you to be able to do all of the assessments over the two years that you are enrolled in the study. We know that this might be difficult for some people and it’s okay if you decide not to sign up. If there’s a specific assessment that you are worried about or think you will find difficult to complete, please contact us and one of our researchers can chat with you about possible alternatives: [email protected].
I'm not sure that I can commit to the study for two years. I don't know where I will be/what I will be doing next year. Is it still okay if I sign up?
When you sign up to the study, we would like you to intend to commit to the study for two years. If you know for sure that you will be moving interstate or overseas soon, then participating in the study won’t be possible unfortunately. Of course, it’s not always possible to predict what will happen. If you do sign up for the study, your participation is voluntary and you can withdraw from the study at any time.
At-Home Monitoring
When do I wear my activity watch and light pendant?
Every year you will wear the activity watch and light pendant for two weeks.
The activity watch should be worn nearly all the time, including when you're sleeping (but not when showering, bathing, swimming, or playing contact sports). The watch should be tight enough that it will not slip off your wrist or turn around, but not tight enough to cause discomfort. Try to keep the watch uncovered, so that the light sensor is not covered by sleeves or clothing.
The light sensor is worn around your neck. You should wear it from when you wake up to when you go to bed each night (but you should take it off if you are showering, bathing, swimming, or playing contact sports.
Body Clock Assessment Visit
Can my parent stay during the body clock visit?
Due to limited space and resources, we ask that parents don’t stay with you during the body clock visit but that they drop you off and pick you up. You will be supervised by our staff for the entire visit and parents can call us at any time. If this will be difficult for your parent, please chat to us and we might be able to help.
Why do you take saliva samples and why does it have to be dark?
From your saliva we can measure the levels of a natural hormone in your body called melatonin. Melatonin is released in the evening when it is dark which tells your body that it’s time to go to sleep. Levels of melatonin start to decrease towards morning which tells your body that it’s time to wake up. Exposure to light like sunlight stops the production of melatonin. By measuring levels of melatonin from your saliva taken in a dark room, we can get information about the timing of your natural body clock.
Confidentiality & Access to Data
Will my information stay private?
Yes. We keep any information that we collect from you during the study confidential and securely stored. We will not tell anyone what you have told us, including your parents and teachers, unless there is an emergency (you or someone else would be harmed if we didn’t tell someone) or if we are required to by law.
Why did I get sent information about support services?
We are committed to looking after the wellbeing of our participants. If we become aware during your involvement in the study that you might be experiencing psychological distress and might benefit from support, we will send you (and your parent if you are < 18 years old) some information via email about relevant support services. Note that we cannot provide psychological support or sleep treatment to our participants or their families.
Can I ask my friends to join the CLASS study?
Of course! If they are between 16 to 20 years old in Melbourne and are interested in the study, they can fill out an expression of interest form and we can send them some information.
Eligibility
How do I know if I am eligible for the study?
After you (or your parent if you are < 18 years old) fills out the expression of interest form, we will send you an email with more information about the study and a video to watch, and a survey to your parents with questions to see if you are eligible for the study. For example, if you take certain medications you might not be eligible because some medications can affect sleep patterns and make it difficult for us to answer our research questions accurately. After this we will arrange a time to speak to you and a parent over the phone. During the call, we will tell you more about the study so you can decide if you would like to participate.
Consent
I want to participate but my parents won't let me. Can I still be involved?
If you are < 18 years old, you will unfortunately not be able to be involved as we need your parent/guardian to sign a consent form to participate in the study.
If you are 18 years old and above, you are legally considered an adult and can sign the consent form to participate in the study without any parental involvement.
My parents want me to participate but I don't want to. Is that okay?
Yes. We can’t make you participate in the study if you don’t want to, even if your parent signs the consent form.
Completing Assessments
I can't travel to Monash University for the in-person assessments. Can I still participate?
The in-person assessment that we run during the study is the body clock assessment (three appointments over two years. These assessments can only be done in-person at Monash University (Notting Hill campus) because we need to use special equipment. We require you to be able to attend these appointments to participate in the study. However, if travel to Monash University is difficult for you, we might be able to help. Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss possible options.
I only want to do some of the assessments. Is that okay?
When you sign up to the study, we would like you to be able to do all of the assessments over the two years that you are enrolled in the study. We know that this might be difficult for some people and it’s okay if you decide not to sign up. If there’s a specific assessment that you are worried about or think you will find difficult to complete, please contact us and one of our researchers can chat with you about possible alternatives: [email protected].
I'm not sure that I can commit to the study for two years. I don't know where I will be/what I will be doing next year. Is it still okay if I sign up?
When you sign up to the study, we would like you to intend to commit to the study for two years. If you know for sure that you will be moving interstate or overseas soon, then participating in the study won’t be possible unfortunately. Of course, it’s not always possible to predict what will happen. If you do sign up for the study, your participation is voluntary and you can withdraw from the study at any time.
At-Home Monitoring
When do I wear my activity watch and light pendant?
Every year you will wear the activity watch and light pendant for two weeks.
The activity watch should be worn nearly all the time, including when you're sleeping (but not when showering, bathing, swimming, or playing contact sports). The watch should be tight enough that it will not slip off your wrist or turn around, but not tight enough to cause discomfort. Try to keep the watch uncovered, so that the light sensor is not covered by sleeves or clothing.
The light sensor is worn around your neck. You should wear it from when you wake up to when you go to bed each night (but you should take it off if you are showering, bathing, swimming, or playing contact sports.
Body Clock Assessment Visit
Can my parent stay during the body clock visit?
Due to limited space and resources, we ask that parents don’t stay with you during the body clock visit but that they drop you off and pick you up. You will be supervised by our staff for the entire visit and parents can call us at any time. If this will be difficult for your parent, please chat to us and we might be able to help.
Why do you take saliva samples and why does it have to be dark?
From your saliva we can measure the levels of a natural hormone in your body called melatonin. Melatonin is released in the evening when it is dark which tells your body that it’s time to go to sleep. Levels of melatonin start to decrease towards morning which tells your body that it’s time to wake up. Exposure to light like sunlight stops the production of melatonin. By measuring levels of melatonin from your saliva taken in a dark room, we can get information about the timing of your natural body clock.
Confidentiality & Access to Data
Will my information stay private?
Yes. We keep any information that we collect from you during the study confidential and securely stored. We will not tell anyone what you have told us, including your parents and teachers, unless there is an emergency (you or someone else would be harmed if we didn’t tell someone) or if we are required to by law.
Why did I get sent information about support services?
We are committed to looking after the wellbeing of our participants. If we become aware during your involvement in the study that you might be experiencing psychological distress and might benefit from support, we will send you (and your parent if you are < 18 years old) some information via email about relevant support services. Note that we cannot provide psychological support or sleep treatment to our participants or their families.