The Simon Fraser University Research Ethics Board has approved this research study. This consent form is part of the process of informed consent. It should give you the basic idea of what the research is about and what your participation will involve. If you would like more detail about something mentioned here, or information not included here, you should feel free to ask the investigator(s). Please take the time to read this carefully and to understand the information.
The purpose of this research is to understand how people use web platforms to create, share and complete challenges. This includes, but is not limited to, learning: - how people use and navigate the web platforms for challenges - what factors (social, challenge type, etc.) motivate people to complete challenges - how people participate in the challenge either as individuals or groups Our goal is to learn how to best design pervasive games in order to maximize fun and engagement (i.e. challenge completion) for individuals.
To participate in this study, you must first create an online account (user profile). Only those 19 years of age and older may create an account. Data collection for this study will begin each time you login to the Gauntlet website, and the sessions will continue until you logout. Therefore, your entire participation in the study will last while you maintain an active account with the Gauntlet. You are free to withdraw from this study at any time without prejudice. If you are a student, you may withdraw without adverse effect on your grades or evaluation in any classroom activities or coursework. At the time of withdrawal, you may request that your data be permanently deleted. All data is deleted after a period of five years, regardless of whether your account is still active. If you wish to have the data remain (such as what challenges you have completed), you are free to request this from the investigators.
Your participation in this study is ongoing as long as you maintain an active Gauntlet account. You may view, create, and complete as many challenges you like during this time. We ask thatyou record your activities on the Gauntlet website (in the form of multimedia or on messageboards).
While completing the challenges you may (depending on the nature of the challenge) be asked to document your activity, using various forms of media of your choosing (written text, photos, videos, etc.). The sharing of documentation is optional, and you can refuse to share it online. The subject matter of the media you wish share will first be reviewed by us (the researchers) to ensure its appropriateness. During the final stage of the study, you will be asked to complete a follow-up semi-structured interview based on your experiences in the study.
Interviews will be held in person or over Skype. If you choose to participate in the study using an online communication tool such as Skype, we cannot fully guarantee your anonymity because data is transmitted over the Internet. We will also be conducting email questionnaires during the course of the study. As such, we also cannot fully guarantee your anonymity because data is transmitted over the Internet. You have the option to participate (or not) over such mediums.
The Gauntlet website logs your web activities while you are logged into your account. This includes activities such as searching for challenges, creating challenges, viewing media, proposing challenges and commenting on message-boards. We do not log your activities on any other web sites. The Gauntlet website may prompt you with questions about your usage of the site and your activity within the Gauntlet while you are using the website. Answers to these questions are also recorded.
You also have the option to participate in an interview (introduction and follow-up) to help us further understand your experience with the Gauntlet website.
If you would like to participate in further in this study, you have the option to participate in be a semi-structured interview to assess your expereince with the Gauntlet. In doing so, you will also be asked to complete one or more challenges, among several seeded challenges created by the researchers. Following the completion, you will be asked to create one or more of your own challenges using a website designed to host such challenges. Challenges will include written instructions that you will share with others online. You will then select one or more challenges that you would like to complete from the set of challenges created by other participants. All the challenges will first be reviewed and vetted by us (the researchers) to keep the level of risk to none or minimal, but all challenges should be attempted at your own risk. Thus, you will be able to choose what challenges to complete given your own comfort level with the challenges. You are also free to choose not to complete any challenges – this is your discretion.
While completing the challenges you may (depending on the nature of the challenge) be asked to document your activity, using various forms of media of your choosing (written text, photos,videos, etc.). The sharing of documentation is optional, and you can refuse to share it online. The subject matter of the media you wish share will first be reviewed by us (the researchers) to ensure its appropriateness.
Data collected from the interview responses will be audio recorded with your permission, orthrough survey responses in textual format via email.
Your anonymity will be strictly maintained. We seek to publish reports and presentations describing the research; however, within these publications, we will refer only to a participant identification number or pseudonym.
All data collected, as part of the study, will be kept on a secure server computer. Our server is located in Canada at Simon Fraser University, Surrey campus. We may contact you periodically using the contact information you have included when you created your account in our web site. This contact may include sharing of information relating to the activities you do or asking if you would be willing to participate in additional interviews, surveys, or other questionnaires about your participation in the study. We will not provide your contact information to any other organizations.
The research project will benefit you by allowing you to participate in fun activities. The risks of participation are intended to be none or minimal. Challenges can be created by any participant, though they will be approved by the researchers prior to public display in the study. Despite this, there is still the risk that an individual may find a challenge more difficult to complete than the researchers expected. You have the option, depending on your comfort and ability, to attempt or deny any challenge presented. Thus, you are in control of how much you participate in the study and what challenges you decide to complete.
Research results can be obtained by contacting the investigator.
Daniel Hawkins is a graduate student in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University.
Dr. Carman Neustaedter is an Assistant Professor in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University.
By accepting this form you: 1) understand to your satisfaction the information provided to you about your participation in this research project, and 2) agree to participate as a research subject.
In no way does this waive your legal rights nor release the investigators, sponsors, or involved institutions from their legal and professional responsibilities. You are free to withdraw from this research project at any time. You should feel free to ask for clarification or new information throughout your participation. If you have further questions concerning matters related to this research, please contact: Carman Neustaedter at carman@sfu.ca.
To accept this form click "Accept and Continue", then create your profile.
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