Please read this information and then indicate whether you do/ do not consent to your survey data being used in this research project.
Study Title: The Gamification of Climate Action
Researcher: Quentin Prideaux
Faculty Advisor: Dr Mark Leighton
The following is a short summary of this study to help you decide whether or not to be a part of this study. More detailed information is listed below.
Why am I being invited to take part in a research study?
We invite you to take part in a research study because you are participating in the Brandeis SaveOhno program.
What should I know about a research study?
•
Someone will be available to explain this research study to you.
•
Whether or not you take part is up to you.
•
Your participation is completely voluntary.
•
You can choose not to take part.
•
You can agree to take part and later change your mind.
•
Your decision will not be held against you.
•
Your refusal to participate will not result in any consequences or any loss of benefits that you are otherwise entitled to receive.
•
You can ask all the questions you want before you decide.
Why is this research being done?
The purpose of the research is to investigate the degree to which taking physical action increases a student’s level of perceived power over the climate crisis.
How long will the research last and what will I need to do?
The research consists of two surveys – one before and one after the program. These surveys ask about your knowledge of, disposition toward, and engagement with global warming. The surveys are estimated to take less than 10 minutes each.
Is there any way being in this study could be bad for me?
We don’t believe there are any risks from participating in this research.
Will being in this study help me in any way?
There are no benefits to you from your taking part in this research. We cannot promise any benefits to others from your taking part in this research. However, possible benefits to others include an increased understanding of how to positively affect levels of engagement with the climate crisis and other environmental programs.
Detailed Information
The following is further detail about this study in addition to the information listed above.
What is the purpose of this research?
Many different forms of communication have been used to inform and engage members of the general public with the climate crisis. These methods have been effective in increasing understanding of climate change, but less effective at prompting behavior change. It is theorized that by engaging people physically with actions appropriate to improving climate and reducing emissions they will feel more empower to act. The study assesses the level of participants’ self-efficacy (belief in their own power and influence) and degree of commitment to action.
How long will I take part in this research?
If you agree to be part of this study you will go through the normal SaveOhno program but will receive two surveys. One in the beginning of the program and one after. The surveys will take fewer than 10 minutes.
What can I expect if I take part in this research?
You will be asked to take part in two surveys, one in the beginning of this program and one after. Sample survey questions include:
-
How worried are you about global warming?
-
When do you think global warming will start to harm people in the United States?
You may be invited to participate in a further study after an interval of three months or more by responding to further survey questions. Your participation at that time, as with this research is completely voluntary and you may refuse to participate at any time.
What happens if I say yes, but I change my mind later?
You can leave the research at any time; it will not be held against you.
If I take part in this research, how will my privacy be protected? What happens to the information you collect?
We will collect your email address, name, age, and your responses to survey questions on the subject of the environment and your disposition toward the climate crisis. This Personal Information will be kept on a password-protected website and will be anonymized before use in the study.
Efforts will be made to limit the use and disclosure of your Personal Information, including research study and medical records, to people who have a need to review this information. We cannot promise complete secrecy. Organizations that may inspect and copy your information include the IRB and other representatives of this organization.
Your information or samples that are collected as part of this research will not be used or distributed for future research studies, even if all of your identifiers are removed.
Researcher Financial Interests in this Study
Quentin Prideaux, a researcher on the study team, is the CEO and minority shareholder of SaveOhno, the company running the program on which this research is based. This disclosure is made so that you may determine whether this relationship affect your willingness to participate in this study. If you have questions, please inform the study coordinator, and s/he will put you in touch with someone to talk to.
Who can I talk to?
If you have questions, concerns, or complaints, or think the research has hurt you, talk to the research team at
quentin@saveohno.org, 508-353-6964
This research has been reviewed and approved by the Harvard University Area Institutional Review Board (“IRB”). You may talk to them at (617) 496-2847 or
cuhs@harvard.edu if:
•
Your questions, concerns, or complaints are not being answered by the research team.
•
You cannot reach the research team.
•
You want to talk to someone besides the research team.
•
You have questions about your rights as a research subject.
•
You want to get information or provide input about this research.
Thank you
