I am a Postgraduate Psychology student and I am currently conducting some research looking at the factors which predict, and result from, fathers' engagement with their infants.

Much of the past research has focused on the mother and motherhood, almost to the exclusion of the important influence of fathers. I am seeking to rectify this imbalance and am thus interested in the factors which predict the extent to which fathers engage with their child, and what might influence how fathers do this.

If you are interested in participating in this research please read on.

This is important research for the benefit of both children and fathers and I hope that you would be willing to assist me in conducting it. I would like you to fill in a questionnaire which will only take about 10 minutes. If you are willing to participate please email pawson@uel.ac.uk providing an email address or postal address depending on which method you would prefer to receive the questionnaire. Please be reassured that your details will not be passed on to any third parties and will only be used to contact you regarding the research.

The research has been approved by an ethics committee and will be conducted with the highest standards of research good practice. All participant data is protected as anonymous by the use of a numerical code so that only the researcher can identify the participant. Should you decide at any time that you do not wish your data to be used you can email me at pawson@uel.ac.uk and we will be happy to withdraw it. I would also like to follow-up some participants after the birth of their child, but there is an opportunity to opt out of this too.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact my supervisor at the Institute of Research in Child Development: pawson@uel.ac.uk

Thank-you for your time.

Sincerely,
Nadine Le Roux