Appendix I: Consent Form
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Consent to Participate in a Study
________________________________________________________________________ Consent Form Version Date: 01/31/2013
IRB Study #: 13-1148
Title of Study: Usability Testing for Cloud File Storage Systems: A Case Study of Compare Google Drive and Dropbox Principal Investigator: Fan Fu
Principal Investigator Department: School of Information and Library Science Principal Investigator Phone number: 919-360-6968
Principal Investigator Email Address: [email protected] Faculty Advisor: Robert Capra
UNC-Chapel Hill Department: School of Information and Library Science UNC-Chapel Hill Phone number: 919-962-8366
Study Contact Email Address: [email protected] Study Contact telephone number: 919-962-9978
_________________________________________________________________ What are some general things you should know about studies?
You are being asked to take part in a study. To join the study is voluntary.
You may refuse to join, or you may withdraw your consent to be in the study, for any reason, without penalty.
You may not receive any direct benefit from being in the study. There also may be risks to being in studies.
Details about this study are discussed below. It is important that you understand this information so that you can make an informed choice about being in this study.
You will be given a copy of this consent form. You should ask the researchers named above, or staff members who may assist them, any questions you have about this study at any time.
What is the purpose of this study?
The purpose of this study is to help investigate the usability for cloud file storage systems, and provide suggestions for future user interface design.
Are there any reasons you should not be in this study? You should not be in this study if:
You are younger than 18 years old.
You are not a graduate student at School of Information and Library Science in UNC
You are not fluent in speaking and writing English.
How many people will take part in this study?
If you decide to be in this study, you will be one of approximately 20 people in this study. How long will your part in this study last?
Participation will consist of a single session that will last about 45 minutes.
What will happen if you take part in the study?
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete a set of six tasks that involve using Google Drive and Dropbox to share files on a computer. To do these tasks, you will use an account that I have set up. You will not need to use your own account. Your actions as you work on the tasks will be recorded by screen recording software. The recording software will ONLY record your screen actions. No recordings will be made of your voice or face. You will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire after you complete each task.
For any reason, you may choose not to answer any question that is part of the study. What are the possible benefits from being in this study?
You may not benefit personally from being in this research study.
What are the possible risks or discomforts involved from being in this study?
I believe the risks in this study to be no more than those encountered in everyday life. There may be uncommon or previously unknown risks. You should report any problems to the researcher.
How will your privacy be protected?
I will assign an identifier to the data I collect and will not use your name. In written reports, I will not use your name and will make additional efforts to anonymize data. The data I collect may be stored on my computer. After the analysis for this project is completed, I will delete and/or destroy the originally collected data.
What if you want to stop before your part in the study is complete?
You can withdraw from this study at any time, without penalty. The investigators also have the right to stop your participation at any time. This could be because you have had an unexpected reaction, or have failed to follow instructions, or because the entire study has been stopped.
Will you receive anything for being in this study? You will not receive anything for taking part in this study.
What if you are a UNC student?
You may choose not to be in the study or to stop being in the study before it is over at any time. This will not affect your class standing or grades at UNC-Chapel Hill. You will not be offered or receive any special consideration if you take part in this study.
What if you have questions about this study?
You have the right to ask, and have answered, any questions you may have about this study. If you have questions about the study, complaints, concerns, or if a study-related injury occurs, you should contact the faculty advisor listed on the first page of this form. - - - Title of Study: Usability Testing for Cloud File Storage Systems:
A Case Study of Compare Google Drive and Dropbox Principal Investigator: Fan Fu
Faculty Advisor: Robert Capra Participant’s Agreement:
I have read the information provided above. I have asked all the questions I have at this time. I meet the qualifications for the study. I voluntarily agree to participate in this research study.
_________________________________________________ _________________
Signature of Research Participant Date
_________________________________________________ Printed Name of Research Participant
_________________________________________________ _________________ Signature of Research Team Member Obtaining Consent Date
_________________________________________________ Printed Name of Research Team Member Obtaining Consent