CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH Music Media Uses and Gratifications: The Shift from Physically to Digitally Distributed Media You are asked to participate in a research study conducted by Aram Sinnreich, from the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California. The results will be contributed to the term-long project associated with the core doctoral class in research methodology (Comm 550). You were selected as a possible participant in this study because you are a user of CDs and/or downloadable music media. A total of 50-75 subjects will be selected from the adult population of music listeners to participate. Your participation is voluntary. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study is to examine and compare the ways in which music listeners use CDs and downloadable music. PROCEDURES If you volunteer to participate in this study, we would ask you to do the following: Complete a brief paper or Web-based questionnaire (22 questions) concerning your music listening habits, then submit your responses in person (when using the paper questionnaire) or online (when using the Web questionnaire). The online questionnaire may be completed on any computer with Internet access, and the paper questionnaire should be completed in the presence of the Investigator. The total time commitment will not exceed 10 minutes. POTENTIAL RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS There are no foreseeable risks associated with filling out this questionnaire. POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO SUBJECTS AND/OR TO SOCIETY The results of this survey will benefit the scientific, commercial, musical, and at-large communities by increasing our understanding of the changes we face in the Internet era. The survey will have potential implications outside the realm of music, by contributing to our understanding of the relationship between traditional (physically distributed) media and online (digitally distributed) media. PAYMENT FOR PARTICIPATION Subjects will not be compensated for participating in this survey. CONFIDENTIALITY Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and that can be identified with you will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission or as required by law. When the results of the research are published or discussed in conferences, no information will be included that would reveal your identity. You will not be photographed, recorded, or in any way observed beyond the results of your questionnaire. Your questionnaire responses will not be recorded or stored in any way that may associate response data with your identity. Paper questionnaires will be destroyed following data entry and analysis. 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 and still remain in the study. The investigator may withdraw you from this research if circumstances arise which warrant doing so. IDENTIFICATION OF INVESTIGATORS If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact Aram Sinnreich (sinnreic@usc.edu). 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, Bovard Administration Building, Room 300, Los Angeles, CA 90089-4019, (213) 740-6709 or upirb@usc.edu. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE OF RESEARCH SUBJECT I understand the procedures described above. My questions have been answered to my satisfaction, and I agree to participate in this study. I have been given a copy of this form.