University of Illinois at Chicago

Research Information and Consent for Participation in Social Behavioral Research

A Cross Cultural Comparison of Ingress Players

 

You are being asked to participate in a research study.  Researchers are required to provide a consent form such as this one to tell you about the research, to explain that taking part is voluntary, to describe the risks and benefits of participation, and to help you to make an informed decision.  You should feel free to ask the researchers any questions you may have.

 Principal Investigator Name and Title: Stacy Blasiola, Ph.D. Student, Department of Communication, University of Illinois at Chicago

Address and Contact Information: [1007 W. Harrison St. Behaviorial Science Building #1149 Chicago, IL 60607]

Why am I being asked?                                           

You are being asked to be a subject in a research study about Ingress players. We are interested in understanding how the mechanics of the game influence play across cultures.

You have been asked to participate in the research because you are over 18 and you are an Ingress player.

 Your participation in this research is voluntary.  Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future dealings with the University of Illinois at Chicago.  If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting that relationship.

 Approximately 2000 subjects may be involved in this research at UIC.

 What is the purpose of this research? The purpose of this research is to investigate how game mechanics influence game play across cultures. We are interested in understanding how teamwork is established in different cultures.

What procedures are involved? This is an online survey. The study procedures are:

You are being asked to participate in an online survey.

The survey is anonymous.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes.

At the end of the survey you will be asked if you would like to be contacted to participate in a follow up telephone interview.

If you choose to be considered for the interview, you must provide your email address. You may be asked to continue your participation in the study.

If you choose not to be considered for an interview, your participation in the study is concluded.

What are the potential risks and discomforts? To the best of our knowledge, the things you will be doing have no more risk of harm than you would experience in everyday life. As with all online research, there is a risk of breach of privacy (others may find out who participants are) and/or confidentiality (others may find out identifiable information about participants collected or disclosed during the research).

Are there benefits to taking part in the research?Your participation in this research will not directly benefit you. However you will be contributing to research in a new area of gaming.

What other options are there? You have the option to not participate in this study.  

What about privacy and confidentiality? Your participation in the survey is confidential. We are not collecting any personally identifiable information. If you choose to submit your email for potential participation in the interview portion of the process, your email will be linked to your survey answers. while precautions will be taken to protect subject privacy and confidentiality, online security can never be 100% guaranteed.  While UIC investigators may not have access to identifiable information, the online host(s) may track and collect identifiable information as per the user agreement with the site, and may share this information with other third parties, including advertisers.

Can I withdraw or be removed from the study? If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation at any time. Simply close your browser window at any time during the survey to end your participation.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Contact the researchers Stacy Blasiola (email: sblasi2@uic.edu phone: 312-996-3187 and Miao Feng (email: mfeng4@uic.edu phone: (414) 364-8904) and faculty sponsor Adrienne Massanari, Ph.D. (email: amass@uic.edu phone: (312) 996-5052) if: 

• you have any questions about this study or your part in it, 
• you have questions, concerns or complaints about the research. 

What are my rights as a research subject? If you feel you have not been treated according to the descriptions in this form, or if you have any questions about your rights as a research subject, including questions, concerns, complaints, or to offer input, you may call the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) at 312-996-1711 or 1-866-789-6215 (toll-free) or e-mail OPRS at uicirb@uic.edu.

Remember:                                       

Your participation in this research is voluntary.  Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with the University.  If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting that relationship.

Authorization of Consent

I have read (or someone has read to me) the above information. By clicking the link to the survey I agree to participate in this research. 

Link to survey: Click here for the survey.