Participant information sheet

Study of mate preferences using a budget allocation task You are being invited to take part in some research. Before you decide whether or not to participate, it is important for you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it will involve. Please read the following information carefully. What is the purpose of the research?

The purpose of this research is the examine differences in what people want in a romantic partner. We wish to explore what characteristics people consider to be absolutely necessary, and which are seen as more of a luxury. We're also interested in seeing if these characteristics differ between cultures. Who is carrying out the research?

The data are being collected by:

Dr Peter Jonason (Western Sydney University, Australia)

Dr Danielle Sulikowski (Charles Sturt University, Australia)

Dr John Malouff (University of New England, Australia)

Jesse Blackburn & Dr Andrew G. Thomas (Swansea University, UK) The research has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Psychology Department at Swansea University, UK. What happens if I agree to take part?

You will be asked to complete two questionnaires. The first will ask for some background information about you including your age, sex, and sexual orientation. The second will contain a number of small tasks which involve designing some hypothetical romantic partners. In total, the study should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. Note that some of the questions relate to topics of a personal nature. You are reminded that you do not have to answer any questions you do not wish to. Also, your responses will be anonymous - the questionnaire will not ask you to provide your name. Is participation voluntary and what if I wish to withdraw during the study?

Your participation is entirely voluntary - you do not have to participate if you do not want to. If you decide to participate in the study, but later change your mind and wish to stop, then you are free to do so at any time, without giving a reason and without penalty, by closing your internet browser. Only when you complete the final page of the questionnaire are your responses sent to us. What will happen to the information I provide?

All the data obtained will be confidential to the study. You will be identified via a participation number, not by name. Please note that once you complete the final page of the questionnaire it will no longer be possible to withdraw your responses from the study. This is because your data will be made anonymous, and so it will not be possible to identify your responses from that of others. An analysis of the information will form part of our report at the end of the study and may be presented to interested parties and published in scientific journals and related media. Note that information presented in any reports or publications will be anonymous. What if I have other questions?

If you have further questions about this research, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr Andrew G. Thomas CPsychol FHEA

Department of Psychology

Swansea University, UK

A.G.Thomas@swansea.ac.uk Consent form Before you can participate in the study, you will need to indicate your consent to being a participant. Please read the statements below. I am aged 18 or above



I have read and understand the basic requirements of the study



I understand any information I provide will be kept confidential



I understand I have the right to withdraw from the study without any explanation



I wish to participate in this study



I agree to the University processing personal data that I have supplied for the purpose of the study By clicking "I agree", you are confirming that you have read and agree with the statements above and wish to participate in the study