Interpersonal Relationships in Social Virtual Environments Study
Information Statement
KEY INFORMATION
- This project is studying VR Relationships.
- Your participation in this research project is completely voluntary and you may stop at any time.
- Your participation will take about 15 minutes.
- You will be asked to do the following procedures: Take a survey. More detailed information on the procedures can be found below.
- There are no known risks or discomforts associated with your participation.
- Beyond advancing our scientific understanding, there are no known benefits to your participation.
- Your alternative to participating in this research study is not to participate.
The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas supports the practice of protection for human subjects participating in research. The following information is provided for you to decide whether you wish to participate in the present study. You should be aware that even if you agree to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without penalty.
We are conducting this study to better understand interpersonal relationships in social virtual environments. Your participation will entail your completion of a survey which is expected to take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The content of the survey should cause no more discomfort than you would experience in your everyday life.
Although participation may not benefit you directly, we believe that the information obtained from this study will help us gain a better understanding of interpersonal relationships in social virtual environments. Your participation is solicited, although strictly voluntary. You may with draw at any time. Participants who miss more than half of the directed response questions (e.g., “Please select “I agree” to show you are paying attention”) will be automatically withdrawn from participation after they survey is complete.
Your name will not be associated in any way with the research findings. Your identifiable information will not be collected, and thus cannot be shared unless (a) it is required by law or university policy, or (b) you give written permission. No identifiable information will be collected during this survey. It is possible, however, with internet communications, that through intent or accident someone other than the intended recipient may see your response. Your responses to this survey will help us understand interpersonal relationships in social virtual environments. No identifiable information will be collected in this survey, anonymized data will be posted on a public online repository called the Open Science Framework (OSF).
If you would like additional information concerning this study before or after it is completed, please feel free to contact us by phone or mail. We appreciate your cooperation.
Completion of the survey indicates your willingness to take part in this study and that you are at least 18 years old and participate in VRChat. If you have any additional questions about your rights as a research participant, you may call (785) 864-7429 or write the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), University of Kansas, 2385 Irving Hill Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7563, email irb@ku.edu.
Sincerely,
Cameron W. Piercy, Ph.D. and Brandon Kirk
Principal Investigator
Department of Communication Studies
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-5989
cpiercy@ku.edu or brandonk14@ku.edu