Participant Information SheetResearch Study Title: Understanding The Psychology of Employees Unable of Climbing
Hierarchies Within Big Companies
Name of Researcher: Nikolaos K. Varveris / S20003703@mail.glyndwr.ac.uk n.varveris@ist.edu.gr
Research Supervisor: Konstantina Stavrogianni / k.stavrogianni@ist.edu.gr
My name is Nikolaos Varveris and I am a researcher in the field of psychology, currently studying
at IST. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration,
and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources.
Before you decide to participate in this study, it is important that you have a clear understanding
of the purpose and nature of the research, as well as what your involvement will entail. Please read
the following information carefully and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or
need further clarification. Contact details can be found at the end of this information sheet.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological effects of being
unable to climb the hierarchical ladder within big companies on employee well-being. Specifically,
we aim to investigate the impact of the corporate structure and institutional factors on individuals,
as well as the individualistic psychological perspective. We are seeking participation from
employees who are currently working in big companies with more than 150 employees and are
between the ages of 30 and 60.
What do I need to do?
If you agree to take part, you will be asked to complete a quantitative survey consisting of two
validated questionnaires: Personal Self-Concept (PSC) and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The
questionnaires will be accessible through a link that will be sent to you via email or social media.
Your responses will be recorded anonymously, and the data will be used for research purposes
only. The survey will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
Please note that by participating in the survey, you are providing your consent for the data collected
to be used for research purposes. If you have any concerns or questions about the survey or your
participation, please contact the researcher via email (researcher contact details provided).
What are the potential risks and benefits to taking part?
While there are no direct risks associated with participating in this study, it is possible that
discussing topics related to your work environment and well-being could raise sensitive or
emotional issues. We encourage you to make an informed decision about whether you would like
to participate. Please note that if you experience any discomfort during or after the study,
appropriate resources and support will be provided.
By participating in this study, you will have the opportunity to contribute to research that aims to
raise awareness of the psychological experiences of individuals working in large companies where
upward mobility may not be readily available. This has the potential to benefit employees’ wellbeing and contribute to a better understanding of the challenges and experiences faced by those in
similar situations.
Anonymity and confidentiality
All data collected during the study are anonymised and are stored in accordance with the Data
Protection Act (2018) and the standards set out by the British Psychological Society. You are also
encouraged to read the Wrexham Glyndŵr University privacy policy over the page.
You will be provided with your pseudonym or unique ID number for this study. Anonymised
transcripts will be accessible by the researcher and designated members of the academic team in
the Psychology Department IST College to support analysis.
You are also encouraged to read the privacy policy over the page.
What will you do with the results of the research?
The data obtained from this study will form the basis of an Undergraduate dissertation. A summary
of the data and anonymised quotes from your interview may be used to highlight specific themes
in the dissertation. These quotes may be presented as part of academic presentations or conferences
as part of the degree and included in any publications. No identifying information will be included
in the quotes. Any potentially identifying information will be removed or changed to protect your
anonymity. Anonymised transcripts may be shared alongside publication and hosted in a secure
data library for use by other researchers, as a permanent record of the data, for the benefit of
additional scientific investigation, for verification of the findings, and/or as a teaching resource.
You can decide on how your data collected for this study is shared and stored in the consent form.
What if I change my mind about taking part?
You can withdraw from the study at any time during the interview without any explanation. Once
the interview is complete, you will have until three weeks after the interview (date to be provided)
at 4pm to consider whether you would like to withdraw your data from the study. If you do decide
to withdraw your data, you will need to email the researcher (researcher contact details) with your
request, quoting your participant number. The researcher will then remove your data. Signed
consent forms will be kept for a period of five years after the close of the study before being
destroyed.
Contact for further information.
If you have any questions about the study, please email (nikolas.varveris@gmail.com)
If you wish to raise any concerns about this study or the conduct of the researcher and if there is
problem while participating and you need any relevant support, please email the following:
Research Supervisor: Konstantina Stavrogianni / k.stavrogianni@ist.edu.gr
Contact details for central university ethics committee
What happens next?
If you would like to take part, please complete the consent form by agreeing to the statements
over the page.
Participant Consent Form
Research Study Title: The Carrot or the Stick: Teacher Perspectives of Challenging Behaviour
and Behaviour Management Strategies.
Name of Researcher:
Research Supervisor: Konstantina Stavrogianni / k.stavrogianni@ist.edu.gr
Please read each statement carefully. If you agree to the statement, please provide your initials in
the box.
I confirm that I have read and understood the information sheet for the above
study dated (insert date)
I confirm I am over the age of 18.
I confirm that I meet all other criteria to take part in this study.
I confirm I have read and understood the privacy policy.
I agree that the interview can be recorded for the purposes of transcription and
analysis in this specific study.
I understand that that I am free to withdraw during the interview at any time.
I understand that I am free to withdraw my data up until (insert date – this
should be 2 weeks after you close your study) by providing my unique ID
number to the researcher via email.
I understand that my data will be stored anonymously in accordance with the
Data Protection Act (2018) and the General Data Protection Regulations
(2018).
I agree to allow audio recording of the interview to be used only for
transcription purposes in this project.
I agree to anonymised quotes being included in a summary of the findings for
the purpose of the dissertation and in academic presentations related to the
degree.
I agree to my raw, anonymised transcript being made available alongside
publication or in an online repository for use by other researchers and for future
learning.
I hereby give my informed consent to take part in this study.
Participant Name:
Participant Signature:
Researcher Name:
Researcher Signature:
Date of Interview:
Please return this consent form to (name of researcher)
who will arrange a suitable time for the interview to take place.
Appendix G
The Personal Self-Concept Questionnaire (PSQ)
The Personal Self-Concept Questionnaire (PSQ) measures self-concept based on ratings of 22
items, which are grouped into four categories: Self-fulfilment, autonomy, honesty, and emotional
self-concept.
Subscales: The PSQ has four subscales
1. Self-fulfilment
2. Autonomy
3. Honesty
4. Emotional self-concept
The PSQ is a Likert-type scale with five response options ranging from totally disagree to totally
agree.
Reliability and Validity
In the first study, coefficient alpha = .85 and in study two, alpha = .83.
Items of the Personal Self-Concept (PSC) Questionnaire.
Item num.
Statement
1 (SF)
I am satisfied with what I am achieving in my life.
2 (AU)
I depend on other people more than the majority of those I know.
3 (ESC)
If I’m feeling down, I find it hard to snap out of it.
4 (SF)
So far, I have achieved every important goal I have set myself.
5 (HON)
I am a trustworthy person.
6 (AU)
In order to do anything, I first need other people’s approval.
7 (ESC)
I consider myself to be a very uptight and highly strung person.
8 (SF)
I have yet to achieve anything I consider to be important in my life.
9 (HON)
I am a man/woman of my word.
10 (AU)
I find it hard to embark on anything without other people’s support.
11 (ESC)
I am more sensitive than the majority of people.
12 (SF)
I have always overcome any difficulties I have encountered in my life.
13 (HON)
I am a decent, honest person.
14 (AU)
When taking a decision, I depend too much on other people’s opinions.
15 (SF)
If I could start my life over again, I would not change very much.
16 (HON)
I try not to do anything that might hurt others.
17 (AU)
I find it difficult to take decisions on my own.
18 (ESC)
I am an emotionally strong person.
19 (SF)
I feel proud of how I am managing my life.
20 (ESC)
I suffer too much when something goes wrong.
21 (HON)
My promises are sacred.
22 (ESC)
I know how to look after myself so as not to suffer.
Note. SF: Self-fulfillment; AU: Autonomy; ESC: Emotional adjustment; HON: Honesty.
Appendix H
Oxford Happiness Questionnaire
The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire was developed by psychologists Michael Argyle and Peter
Hills at Oxford University.
Instructions
Below are a number of statements about happiness. Please indicate how much you agree or
disagree with each by entering a number in the blank after each statement, according to the
following scale:
1 = strongly disagree
2 = moderately disagree
3 = slightly disagree
4 = slightly agree
5 = moderately agree
6 = strongly agree
Please read the statements carefully, some of the questions are phrased positively and others
negatively. Don’t take too long over individual questions; there are no “right” or “wrong” answers
(and no trick questions). The first answer that comes into your head is probably the right one for
you. If you find some of the questions difficult, please give the answer that is true for you in general
or for most of the time.
The Questionnaire
1. I don’t feel particularly pleased with the way I am. ( R)
2. I am intensely interested in other people.
3. I feel that life is very rewarding.
4. I have very warm feelings towards almost everyone.
5. I rarely wake up feeling rested. (R)
6. I am not particularly optimistic about the future. (R)
7. I find most things amusing.
8. I am always committed and involved.
9. Life is good.
10. I do not think that the world is a good place. (R) _
11. I laugh a lot.
12. I am well satisfied about everything in my life.
13. I don’t think I look attractive. (R)
14. There is a gap between what I would like to do and what I have done. (R)
15. I am very happy.
16. I find beauty in some things.
17. I always have a cheerful effect on others.
18. I can fit in (find time for) everything I want to.
19. I feel that I am not especially in control of my life. (R)
20. I feel able to take anything on.
21. I feel fully mentally alert.
22. I often experience joy and elation.
23. I don’t find it easy to make decisions. (R)
24. I don’t have a particular sense of meaning and purpose in my life. (R)
25. I feel I have a great deal of energy.
26. I usually have a good influence on events.
27. I don’t have fun with other people. (R)
28. I don’t feel particularly healthy. (R)
29. I don’t have particularly happy memories of the past. (R)
Items marked (R) should be scored in reverse.
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