You are invited to participate in a usability study conducted (your name, affiliation, etc. Example:) by Dr. Eck Doerry, Northern Arizona University, Department of Computer Science. We hope to use this study to (brief description of your goal. Example:) better understand how people communicate using state of the art audio/video technology. In particular, I am interested in how people make use of the information available in an audio and/or video linkage with another distant person to understand what the other person is trying to communicate.

This research is (the umbrella purpose of research. Example:) a core element of a project funded under and NSF grant (NSF# 00-2385W) here at the university. You were selected as a possible participant in this study because (reasons they were selected. Example:) you fall into the age group most likely to benefit from and be exposed to advanced telecommunications technology in the future. Also, you have been identified as having limited experience with teleconferencing technology.

If you decide to participate, you and a partner will be asked meet at the Collaborative Computing Lab in the Computer Science Department for a single half-hour session. During this session, you will be asked to collaborate in accomplishing a series of simple tasks that involve using (what they will be doing. Example:) a graphical computer simulation of a cardiovascular system. Since the focus of this study is on the communication and collaboration between you and your partner, rather than on the simulator, it doesn't really matter whether you finish the tasks or not. It only matters that you do your best to figure them out. You and your partner will be seated side-by-side in front of a single machine. You will be given a "lab manual" that describes the tasks you are supposed to do. Since the tasks are quite simple, they will likely take you no more than about 20-30 minutes to finish. There is no "bonus" for finishing fast; you are encouraged to take your time and be thorough. Someone will stop you when the time is up, should you take that long. Lab personnel will not directly participate at any time, but will be available should you get seriously stuck or have some emergency.

To record your interaction for later analysis, audio/video recordings of the computer screen and of both you and your partner will be made. (describe what parts of the body, if any will be visible on the video record. Example:) Your whole upper body will be visible on the recording; this is necessary because the analysis I will do must account for your gestures, facial expressions, and posture. These recordings represent the data that I will use as the basis of my analysis of your interaction.

The risks associated with participating in this study are deemed to be minimal. That is, you will not be subjected to any pain or stress beyond that normally encountered in everyday life. Though I cannot guarantee that you personally will receive any benefits from this research, potential benefits to you include (describe any benefit they might receive. Example:) a chance to experience the future of telecommunications and to see how research is done. The results of this study will serve to guide and inform the design of telecommunications environments as well as future research.

(Describe any compensation they will get. Example:) You will be compensated for your participation at the rate of $5/hour, payable in cash at the end of the session.

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. Subject identities will be kept confidential by assigning each pair of subjects a code number. All data will be marked and identified using this code number. No personal information for any participant will be kept or attached to the data. All recordings will be kept in a secure location at all times during and after the study. Only (who will get to see the recordings or portions of it, eg, members of our class. Example:) members of the Interactive Systems Group and other researchers associated with the project will be allowed to view the recorded session data . In no case will the data be made generally available.

Your participation is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your relationship with Northern Arizona University in any way. If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation at any time without penalty.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact (your team leader or liason. Example:) Dr. Eck Doerry (346-3989) in the Computer Science Department at any time. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject, contact the Research Compliance Office, Northern Arizona University. You will be offered a copy of this form to keep.

Your signature indicates that you have read and understand the information provided above, that you willingly agree to participate, that you may withdraw your consent at any time and discontinue participation without penalty, that you will receive a copy of this form, and that you are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies.

Addendum: Express Consent for Audio/Video Recording

I have received an adequate description of the purpose and procedures for A/V recording of sessions during the course of the proposed research study. I give my consent to allow myself to be recorded during the participation in the study, and for those recordings to be viewed by persons involved in the study, as well as for other professional purposes as described to me. I understand that all information will be kept confidential and will be reported in an anonymous fashion. I understand that the recordings will be (what will happen to recording files; probably erase data by end of semester. Example:) kept on file, in order to be available for further analysis in the future, for several years. I further understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time.