My name is Fionnuala Malone and I am a Master’s student on the Work and Organisational Psychology programme in Dublin City University (DCU) School of Business. The aim of the study is to investigate the experiences and motivations of women who become angel investors. 

About this research study

I would like to invite you to take part in a research study. Before you decide you need to understand why the research is being done and what it would involve for you. Please take time to read the following information carefully. Ask questions if anything you read is not clear or if you would like any more information. Take your time to decide whether or not to take part. 

Principal investigator: Fionnuala Malone (email: fionnualamalone7@mail.dcu.ie)

Academic supervisor: Professor Janine Bosak (email: janine.bosak@dcu.ie)

Institution: Dublin City University 

Department: The School of Business

Research study title: The experiences and motivations of women angel investors

Why is this research being conducted

Angel investors form an important part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem which is an integral part of the economy as a whole. Women are underrepresented in the angel investment community and little is known about their experiences and motivations. This research will contribute to our small but growing understanding of the experiences and motivations of women angel investors.

Why have you been invited to take part?

Participants are eligible to participate in the current study if they: 

1. Are a business angel investor (someone who has invested their own money in a private business or businesses) with at least one current or one complete investment.

2. Identify as women.

3. Are over 18 years of age.

Participants are not eligible to participate in the current study if they: 

Are part of an angel investment network or group but have yet to make an investment in a private business.

What will happen if you decide to take part in this research study?

Taking part in the research will involve participating in an interview via Zoom with Fionnuala. You will be able to select a time for the interview that is convenient to you via an online calendar. Interviews typically last 45-60 minutes. Interviews will be video and audio recorded.

Topics covered during the interview typically include but are not limited to:

• Your journey to becoming an angel investor

• Your experiences as an angel investor

• The extent to which you feel you have control over your investment decisions

• Your knowledge of angel investing 

• Your involvement (or not) with angel investing networks. 

How will your data be recorded, stored and protected and used?

Type of personal data to be processed

Type of data to be processed includes the participant's name and email address. Participants will be asked to confirm that they are over the age of 18, identify as a woman and that they have invested in at least one private business. Audio and video recordings of the research interview will be processed.

Reason the data will be processed or held

Participants' names, email addresses, country in which they are located at the point in time of the interview are processed for the purposes of arranging the research interview on Zoom. 

Participants will be asked to confirm that they are over the age of 18, identify as a woman and that they have invested in at least one private business in order to make sure that they are eligible to participate in the research study. 

Audio and video recordings of the research interview will be processed for the purposes of analysis in a research study on the experiences and motivations of women angel investors conducted by Fionnuala Malone for her Master’s programme Work and Organisational Psychology at Dublin City University School of Business.

Data retention period

Signed consent forms and original video and audio recordings will be retained in my personal DCU Google Drive in a password protected folder until after my Master’s degree has been conferred. This is expected to be by December 2025. This is in accordance with guidelines outlined by DCU for student research.

How will my data be protected?

All raw data collected will be kept confidential and used only for research purposes. Your data will be kept on a laptop that is password protected and the encrypted DCU Google Drive, in files that are password protected and securely stored. Any notes taken during the interview will be kept in encrypted form on a password-protected laptop. The signed consent forms and audio-video recordings will be deleted as soon as the interview is transcribed and anonymised. The anonymised transcription will only be accessible to the researcher and her supervisor in a password protected folder in the DCU Google Drive.

Your rights in relation to your data 

Under freedom of information legislation, you are entitled to access the information you

have provided at any time. To do this, you can contact the principal investigator, Fionnuala Malone, by emailing fionnuala.malone7@mail.dcu.ie or alternatively by contacting the Data Protection Unit.

You have the right to lodge a complaint concerning the use of personal data with the Irish Data Protection Commission.

The data controller is Dublin City University. The data processor is Fionnuala Malone. The identity of the DCU Data Protection Officer – Mr. Martin Ward (data.protection@dcu.ie  Ph.: 7005118 / 7008257).

How will your privacy be protected (including any legal limits to confidentiality)?

Steps will be taken to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality for all participants of the study and any individuals they may speak about in the research interview. Interviews will be transcribed, pseudonyms given and the findings of the study will be reported in aggregate form. 

However, please be aware that the confidentiality of the information provided cannot always be guaranteed by researchers. Please note that confidentiality of information can only be protected within the limitations of the law - i.e., it is possible for data to be subject to subpoena, freedom of information claim or mandated reporting by some professions.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

By participating in this research, you help advance our knowledge as to why women decide to become business angel investors. You will also get the opportunity to talk about your thoughts, feelings and experiences as a women angel investor.

What are the possible risks of taking part?

By participating in this research, there is the potential to experience stress and anxiety, should participants choose to share stressful experiences they have encountered in their angel investing journey, although this is rather unlikely given that the focus of the study is on motivating factors that shape women's decision to become angel investors.

Can you change your mind at any stage and withdraw from this study?

Participation is completely voluntary, you have the right to refuse any question and withdraw at any time without any consequence. Your data can be removed at any time up to the point of anonymization. Refer to the contact information in this information sheet should you wish to contact the investigators to withdraw your consent.

How will you find out what happens with this project?

Participants can opt-in to be updated on the results of the study once they become available. Should you wish to be contacted via email when the results of this study become available, please indicate this on the relevant part of your consent form.

Contact details for further information

Principal investigator: Fionnuala Malone (email: fionnualamalone7@mail.dcu.ie)

Academic supervisor: Professor Janine Bosak (email: janine.bosak@dcu.ie)

If participants have concerns about this study and wish to contact an independent person, please contact: The Secretary, Dublin City University Research Ethics Committee, c/o Research and Innovation Support, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.  Tel 01-7008000, e-mail rec@dcu.ie

Thank you

If you have read this information sheet and would like to participate in the research, please return to the previous page to complete the consent form and book in an interview slot.