Institution and contact details: Nanyang Technological University, School of Social Sciences, Division of
Economics, c.k.tang@ntu.edu.sg
IRB reference number: IRB-2020-02-025
Title of Study: Attractiveness and Criminal Sentencing
Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the attractiveness of felons and
criminal sentencing. If you agree to participate in this experiment, more detailed instructions will be provided later
on in the study.
Procedures: In this study, you will be shown pictures of convicted felons across Florida, USA. These felons have
been found guilty, are convicted and currently are serving time in correction facilities. You will be tasked with
assessing the appearance of randomly selected felons through their mugshots through several simple survey questions.
Your responses to the survey will be anonymous.
Right to Refuse or Withdraw: Your decision to participate in this research is voluntary and completely up to you.
You can also withdraw from the research at any time with no penalty by informing the experimenters and all the data
collected will be discarded.
Risks and Discomforts: There will be no risks from participating in this research. However, there may be some
discomfort as some of the felons may look very intimidating.
Benefits: There are no direct benefits to participants. The knowledge gained from this study will contribute to
the economics literature in general and help us to better understand the role of attractiveness in criminal sentencing.
Compensation: Your earnings will consist of a completion fee of 3.00 pounds. You will be paid via Prolific upon
completion of the experiment. There will be several attention checks throughout the study: you will not be eligible
for payment if you fail more than half of the attention checks.
Anonymous and Confidential Data Collection: Data collection will be anonymous.
Confidentiality of records: Data will be collected on choices made during the survey. Participants are not
personally identified, but instead each of them is given a randomly generated numerical ID as identifier. Consequently,
there will be no identifiable information used in any publications or presentations arising from this research project.
Personal Data: By signing the Consent Form attached, you (or your legally acceptable representative, if relevant)
are authorizing (i) collection, access to, use and storage of your “Personal Data” by NTU, for the purposes of the study
and (ii) disclosure of such Personal Data to, and use and storage by, authorised service providers and relevant third
parties, whether located in Singapore or overseas, for the Purpose; and (iii) disclosure of such Personal Data to the
relevant government ministries, statutory boards and/or any other government agencies when requested and/or required
under relevant legislations.
“Personal Data” means data about you which makes you identifiable: (i) from such data; or (ii) from that data and other
information which an organisation has or is likely to have access.
Research arising in the future, based on this “Personal Data”, will be subject to review by the relevant institutional
review board.
Data collected are the property of Nanyang Technological University. In the event of any publication regarding this
study, your identity will remain confidential.
Any research data containing your “Personal Data” that is collected for the purposes described in this Consent Form will
be stored in Singapore. Only anonymized research data will be transferred out of Singapore in the event of future
overseas collaborations with other universities.
Who to contact with questions: Tang Cheng Keat, c.k.tang@ntu.edu.sg
Should you have questions on participants' rights in the study, please contact:
NTU-Institutional Review Board
Research Integrity and Ethics Office
62 Nanyang Drive
N1.2-B1-02A
Singapore 637459
Email: irb@ntu.edu.sg
Consent Form
I have read, discussed and understand the information and procedures in the study information sheet attached to this
consent form. My questions concerning the study have been answered to my satisfaction, and I acknowledge that I am
participating in this study of my own free will. I understand that I may refuse to participate or stop participating
at any time.