A James Cook University Psychology Honours student is looking for volunteers from around Australia to take part in an online research study about terrorism.

Principal investigator Klaudija Tomic said very little was known about how Australians perceived the threat of terrorism and its impact on their psychological wellbeing.

“It is important to understand Australians’ views on terrorism because research has shown that perpetual anticipation and fear of terrorist activity negatively impacts individuals, communities and societies on the whole,” Ms Tomic said.

Ms Tomic said the study, which is anonymous and conducted entirely online, would investigate differences in perceptions of residents in major centres as opposed to those living in regional areas.

It would also look for relationships of threat perceptions and negative emotional states, she said.

“The findings from the study may provide valuable information for advancing Australian research on terrorism and act as a general gauge of the public’s emotional responses to terrorism,” she said.

Ms Tomic urged anyone who was interested in the topic to take part in the survey.

“Your opinions on terrorism are important and findings from the study may contribute to improving the well-being of the Australian community.”

Participation in the research is voluntary, free of charge and open to Australian citizens over the age of 18. There are no identifiable questions and participants will remain anonymous.

The research study, which has received ethics approval from the JCU Human Research Ethics Committee, will be available online until the end of July 2011.

To participate, or to find out more about this study, go to: http://qualtrasiab.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_d11m5gAU5YxPOsc

Contact Klaudija on 0402 262 209 or email [email protected]