Study # 06-11618

INDIANA UNIVERSITY- BLOOMINGTON

INFORMED CONSENT STATEMENT

Game Play Analysis

You are invited to participate in a research study. The purpose of this study is to focus on how users differ in their approach to the playing of games.  The primary goal of this study is to establish base-line data with a wide range of game types, across a wide range of player characteristics.

INFORMATION

 
In the VX Lab we have a wide variety of games and simulation software that are played on many platforms such as Xbox, Playstation, Wii, and PC. The game(s) that you could be exposed to have been rated by the Electronic Software Rating Board (ESRB).  The ESRB rationings consider the degree of violence, sexual connotations, language, and aggressive action contained in the game or simulation, and they place age limits for the players who are allowed to play these software programs. We strictly follow these ratings and will not allow any player to be exposed to any game or simulation above their designated age level. Please note the linked ESRB rating sheet (ESRB Sheet). If you have any questions about the games or the meaning of the ratings, we will provide you with explanations and documentation. If you indicate to the researcher that you are comfortable with the game, and its rating, being tested, you will be asked to begin the steps for testing.

The Demographic Questionairre :

The information that we ask for on the Demographic Questionairre will be used to determine player experience and to match with specific games to play. You could be invited to a game play session based on our need for research data of certain types. If you are interested in being tested, you will need to read this consent form, indicate that we may use the information contained in the demographic questionairre for research purposes, and then fill out the questionairre. Once we receive the questionairre, we will then match your skills and preferences with an appropriate game and contact you for scheduling. Once you arrive at our game play analysis laboratory, we will have you read a similar consent form, sign it, and then follow the procedures below.

Steps in the testing:

1. When you sign-in, you will be given a subject code based on date and time. This code will be assigned to your demographic information (step 2).  The sign-in logs and the Consent Statement are the only places in this study that your name will appear. The logs will be destroyed after one year, and the Consent Form after three years.
   
   
2. If you did not fill out a demographic questionnaire prior to coming for testing you will be asked to fill one out.  This questionnaire helps us rank you as a particular type of game player.
   
   
3. In some cases we will be testing multiple games, and you may be invited to play more than just one game.  It is up to you to continue with other games or to withdraw from the study at any time.
   
   
4. When assigned a game, you will go to the Game Play Analysis (GPA) station where you will be asked about your experience with this game and platform, and you may be asked to navigate through a “standard” exercise.  You will be videotaped doing this task.
   
   
5. You will be asked to accomplish a number of tasks beginning at a specific point in the game.  We will ask you to play this game according to some specific procedures that will assist our understanding of how you are playing the game.
   You will be videotaped doing these tasks.
   
   
6. During or following your game play, we will be asking you questions about how and why you did certain things in the game.  At this time we may gather some of your opinions on different aspects of the game and why you chose the strategy you did. You will be videotaped responding to these questions.
   

Time:

Assuming that you agree to participate, you will spend approximately1-2 hours total for this study.

RISKS

Your comfort is of the utmost importance to us as you play the game.  Accordingly, there should be no physical or mental risks to you as a participant in this study.

BENEFITS

Our hope is that you will enjoy playing these games and trying to accomplish the tasks we assign.  The information that we gain by observing your game play will help us design better games.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The sign-in logs, both paper & email, will be maintained by the Principle Investigator. These logs and this Consent Statement will be the only documents where your name will appear.  The sign-in logs will be destroyed within one year from the test date, and the Consent Statement will be retained for 3 years.  On the videotape, and any corresponding records, you will be identified only by a code name.  The videotapes will be archived forever in order that researchers interested in games may have access to this example of game play.  Your image and voice may be clearly evident in these recordings.  Researchers may use these recordings in presentations and publications about game play.

COMPENSATION

 T here is no monetary compensation for participating in this study.

CONTACT

If you have questions at any time about the study or the procedures, you may contact one of the researchers:

1. Robert Appelman  - ED2222 – School of Education –
        856-8456 – appelman@indiana.edu

If you feel you have not been treated according to the descriptions in this form, or your rights as a participant in research have been violated during the course of this project, you may contact the office for the Human Subjects Committee, Carmichael Center, L03, 530 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, by e-mail at iub_hsc@indiana.edu.

PARTICIPATION

Your participation in this study is voluntary; you may refuse to participate without penalty.  If you decide to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.  If you withdraw from the study before data collection is completed your data will be destroyed.

IRB Approved
Approval date: April 13, 2007
Expires: April 12, 2008