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WeÌýupdate ourÌýtemplates and resources regularly. Please download them directly from our website each timeÌýyou need to use them. This is the only way to ensure youÌýhave theÌýcurrent version.

Plain language training

We have developed to help you write your participant-facing research materials. You can do the course at your own pace. It will take about two hours.

The course is hosted byÌýA-CTEC and is free for anyone in Australia. Simply create an A-CTEC account to get access.

PICF templatesÌýand resources

The RCH uses the below site-specific versions of the CT:IQ InFORMed templates for single and multi site projects. You should adapt them to fit the needs of your project:Ìý

• Participant PICFÌý
• Parent/Guardian PICFÌý
  

A full PICF may not be appropriate for your project, for example, if you are doing a survey or interview or focus group. You may want to give people a letter and get their verbal or implied consent. If so, you can use the below templates:Ìý

• Participant PICF - verbal or implied consentÌý
• Parent/Guardian PICF - verbal or implied consentÌý
  
  

Our Standard Wordings has sections of text you can use in your PICF.

Example participant-facing documents

• Example PICF
• Example child information sheetÌý- this follows writing and formatting guidelines.
  
• Example letterÌý- implied consent
• also see theÌýFinal letter guidelines
• Example final letter with no resultsÌý- when you have no research results because, for example,ÌýyourÌýresearch ended early

Branding

If you are doing research at the RCH or MCRI, you should use the cover sheet with the appropriate branding on it. Where relevant,Ìýinsert a secondary brand in the right-hand side of the footer.ÌýYou should only use the cover sheet on theÌýfirst page of your PICF.

• RCH primary brand / MCRI secondary brand
• MCRI primary brand / RCH secondary brand
• RCH primary brand / space for secondary brand
• MCRI primary brand / space for secondary brandÌý
  

Template letters

• Example final letter - with study results
• Example final letter - study stopped early
• Example final letter - clinical trial with no positive results
• Opt out letter - for the opt out approach
• Permission to contact form - to get permission to contact the participant about the project
• Record of verbal consent - use this to record the participant's / parent's verbal consentÌý
• Recruitment letter - send this with a more detailed PICF
• Recruitment letter from a third party- to recruit a participant via a treating clinician, rather than directly through the research team
• School permission form - asking a school principal to give permission for research to be done at their school
• Tracing letter - if you are unsure of a participant's postal address, or if you have not had contact with them for about two years or so, you can send them a tracing letter. The letter complies with privacy legislation by providing limited personal information about the participant.ÌýYou should send this to theÌýparticipant before sending them details about the research.Ìý

Plain languageÌýwritingÌý

• RCH Communications Style Guide. You must follow these writing and formatting guidelines when writing for participants
• Plain Language and Good Communication. An excellent guide that shows you how to produce plain language materials for the general public
• Ìý- a list of research words and their plain language meanings
  

Guidelines and procedures

• RCH final letter guidelinesÌý
• 
  

Why plain language matters

• The RCH HREC expects that you write for participants in plain language.ÌýSee the HRECÌý.ÌýÌý
• . Report on plain language and literacy in Australia.Ìý
• 'The Value of a Well Written PICF' - thisÌýÌýexplains why your PICF can help make or break the success of your project. It is based on interviews with researchers and other staff at the RCH