Information for participants
Help completing the baseline questionnaire
Questions you might have about completing the baseline questionnaire:
What if I can't or don't want to answer the questionnaire?
Do I have to answer all the questions?
When do I have to send back the questionnaire?
What if I don't understand a question?
What if I can't remember the answers to some of the questions?
Should I ask my doctor for help if I am having difficulty answering a question?
What if I would like to include more information but there isn't enough room on the questionnaire?
Why do I have to use blue or black ink?
Why do I have to use crosses?
What if I have been sent the wrong questionnaire or have been posted one by mistake?
What if I can't or don't want to answer the questionnaire?
Your participation in this Study is purely voluntary. It is your choice – if you don’t want to complete the questionnaire your health care will not be affected and you will not be disadvantaged in any way. Simply throw away the Study questionnaire, leaflet and envelope.
Back to the top
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Try to answer as many questions as accurately as you can. Even an approximate answer is still very helpful. Whatever information you give us is valuable and will be included in the Study – even if you can't or don't want to answer all the questions. All information given to us will be treated with absolute confidentiality and used for health research only.
Back to the top
When do I have to send back the questionnaire?
It would be a great help to the Study if you could send back the questionnaire in the reply paid envelope within 3 weeks of receiving it, however, later replies are still welcome.
Back to the top
What if I don't understand a question?
If you don't understand a question just call the Study helpline on 1300 45 11 45.
Back to the top
What if I can't remember the answers to some of the questions?
Some of the questions are about things that you may have difficulty remembering, such as things that happened in your childhood, details about your parents or dates of past illnesses. Even if you cannot remember the exact details, an approximate answer is very valuable for the Study. Just give us as much information as you can.
Back to the top
Should I ask my doctor for help if I am having difficulty answering a question?
This questionnaire is for you to fill out yourself. You should not need to contact your doctor or any other health professional to do so. Just answer the questions as accurately as you can and remember that an approximate answer is still very valuable for the Study.
Back to the top
What if I would like to include more information but there isn't enough room on the questionnaire?
In some places, you may want to give more of an explanation in answering a question but there is not enough room on the questionnaire. For example, you may have a condition that affects your health and you want to tell us more about what you do to manage it. If you think there is some important extra information we should know, please include a note with the questionnaire when you put it in the reply paid envelope.
Back to the top
Why do I have to use blue or black ink?
Although each questionnaire is checked by a Study staff member, it also needs to be read electronically. The equipment we use to analyse responses to the questions only recognises blue and black ink.
Back to the top
Why do I have to use crosses?
Again, the equipment used to check each questionnaire is better at recognising crosses than recognising ticks.
If you have already finished answering the questionnaire and used ticks don't worry; it will be checked by a Study staff member, so we can still use your questionnaire.
Back to the top
What if I have been sent the wrong questionnaire or have been posted one by mistake?
If you have been sent a questionnaire and you are either under 45 years of age or do not live in NSW, we would be grateful if you would call the Study helpline on 1300 45 11 45 and let us know. If you were sent the wrong type of questionnaire (i.e. a men's questionnaire instead of a women's or vice versa), please call the Study helpline and we will post the correct one to you.
Back to the top