University of Southern California

Annenberg School For Communication

3502 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089

         INFORMATION SHEET FOR NON-MEDICAL RESEARCH

                                                                          ************************************************

CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH

An Examination of Avatar Use

You are asked to participate in a research study conducted by Rabindra Ratan, M.A., from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California. You were selected as a possible participant in this study because you play an online game or virtual world. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate.   Your participation is voluntary. You should read the information below before deciding whether or not to participate.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study is designed to examine how people use and view their avatars.

PROCEDURES

If you volunteer to participate in this study, we would ask you to do fill out the following survey.  You will be asked about your avatar, your gaming/computer habits, your feelings toward other people you interact with in the game/virtual world, and some general information about yourself.  Participation will take approximately 15 minutes.  You do no have to answer any questions which may make you feel uncomfortable (by choosing “n/a” or “prefer not to answer”) and can go onto the next question

POTENTIAL RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS

There are no foreseeable physiological, psychological, social, legal or financial risks associated with your participation.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO SUBJECTS AND/OR TO SOCIETY

There are no significant benefits for you for participation beyond learning a bit about video games research. Insofar as this research can be construed as socially valuable, the findings of this study may be applied to the development of technologies that make life easier or better for people.  You are welcome to request access to the results of this study once it is complete.

PAYMENT/COMPENSATION FOR PARTICIPATION

You will not be paid for participation.

CONFIDENTIALITY

No identifying information will be collected during the survey. If I met you in the game/virtual world, any identifying information to which I may have been exposed will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission or as required by law.

The data will be stored on a password-protected computer and only the researchers will have access to the data.  The data will be maintained for 2-3 years after collection.

PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL

You can choose whether to be in this study or not.  If you volunteer to be in this study, you may withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind.  You may also refuse to answer any questions you don’t want to answer (by choosing “n/a” or “prefer not to answer”) and still remain in the study. 

RIGHTS OF RESEARCH SUBJECTS

You may withdraw your consent at any time and discontinue participation without penalty.  You are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies because of your participation in this research study.  If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject, contact the University Park IRB, Office of the Vice Provost for Research Advancement, Stonier Hall, Room 224a, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1146, (213) 821-5272 or upirb@usc.edu.

IDENTIFICATION OF INVESTIGATORS

If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact:

Rabindra Ratan – 650-269-6619, ratan@usc.edu

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By clicking the “Next >>” button below, you indicate that you understand the terms written above and you agree to participate in the study.

Thank you for your participation!

.

.

.

.