2.5. Ethical Considerations

The protocol of the study was formally approved by the local ethics committee (CE/IPLEIRIA/22/2020). As research data involved human participants, the study was conducted according to the Helsinki Declaration guidelines [50]. Personal data was processed following the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR2016/679). Only the research manager had access to data identifying the participants. The full questionnaire began with information indicating: (1) the purpose of the study; (2) that participation is voluntary; (3) that participation can be terminated at any time, and (4) that all data is handled confidentially. Consent from each student was obtained at the beginning of each online survey. No monetary gifts were given for completing the questionnaire.

Administration of the survey considered methods to reduce bias due to social desirability, acquiescence, leniency effects; guaranteeing anonymity; and encouraging respondents to answer honestly.