Research Participation

We’re running a PAID research study to improve how police conduct interviews in crime and missing person cases. We aim to examine the effects of conducting joint interviews to benefit from collective recollection.

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Research participation

This study is concerned with examining the benefits of collective recollection. Participation in the research requires you to attend a one-hour, in-person session together with someone you are close to (e.g. a partner, a family member, a friend) who shares the same ethnicity as you. The partner you come with does not have to be a student.

You will be asked to take part in a simulated police interview face-to-face in which you will discuss a fictitious missing person incident, either alone or with your study partner. This study involves video-taping and photography, for which we will ask for your consent. After the interview, you will individually be asked to complete a questionnaire about your experience in the interview and will be asked to provide your demographic information (age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion) and the length of your relationship. At the end, you will be debriefed about the whole study.

You will each receive compensation of £12 for your participation after the study. This will only be paid to a UK bank account in the name of the participant.

We are currently looking only for Black participants; the reason for this is that this research focuses on improving the police response to missing persons incidents, which disproportionally affect Black individuals in the UK. If you and your friends are eligible (i.e. identify as Black), please join and let them know they can take part and contribute to this research that will benefit the Black community.

What will participants be doing?

  • Take part in a simulated police interview face-to-face to discuss a fictitious missing person incident
  • This study involves video-taping and photography, for which we will ask for your consent
  • Complete a questionnaire about your experience in the interview and will be asked to provide your demographic information (age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion) and the length of your partner's relationship

Where?

Room 1.21. King Henry Building, Portsmouth (PO1 2DY).

What is the closing date for applications?

09/01/2026

Time Commitment

A single 1 hour session.

Who can take part?

You and your study partner need to identify as Black, aged 18+, fluent in English with normal or corrected to normal vision.

What will participants receive as a reward for their participation?

£12 each.

How do I get involved?

Book your timeslot to take part.

Ethical Approval

This study has received ethical approval from the University of Portsmouth Ethics Committee (FHSS 2025-060)

Contact

If you have any questions and would like more information, please email: Joanna Harlow-Trigg - joanna.harlow-trigg@port.ac.uk or Paige Ching - paige.ching@port.ac.uk