Key Information                                                                                                                               

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 later on in this form.

Why am I being invited to take part in a research study?

We invite you to take part in a research study because you showed an interest in taking part in our study.

What should I know about a research study?

•    Someone will 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?

We are trying to understand how different interface designs can affect their decision makings on online platforms.

How long will the research last and what will I need to do?

We expect that you will be in this research study for 15 minutes.

You will be asked to answer a few questions about yourself and your ideal date or friend, and then interact with several fictitious profiles that are generated according to these questions. At the end of the study, you will be able to learn your underlying dating or friending preferences.

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?

We cannot promise any benefits to you or others from your taking part in this research. However, possible benefits include learning your preferences. Your participation in the study also helps us understand how different interfaces can affect people’s decision makings.   

Detailed Information                                                                                                                        

The following is more detailed information about this study in addition to the information listed above.

What is the purpose of this research?

This study aims to understand how different interface designs can affect ones’ decision makings.

 

How long will I take part in this research?

15 minutes in 1 time.

 

What can I expect if I take part in this research?

You will first answer a demographic form about yourself, and what profiles (men’s or women’s) that you want to view. If you are a minor, this question will not appear. Then you will answer a few questions as if you are your ideal date or friend. The answers to these questions will reflect how you wish your ideal date or friend will answer to these questions. These questions will be used to assess one’s compatibility for making decisions. Then, you will read the instruction for the next part of the study where you interact with fictitious online profiles. You indicate whether you like them or dislike them by swiping right or left, or clicking on the buttons. You will also be able to read their profiles descriptions. After finishing interacting with the profiles, you will be asked for feedback and shown your underlying preference in a summary page.

 

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.

Is there any way being in this study could be bad for me? (Detailed Risks)

We don’t believe there are any risks from participating in this research.

If I take part in this research, how will my privacy be protected? What happens to the information you collect?

 

Efforts will be made to limit the use and disclosure of your Personal Information, including research study records, to people who have a need to review this information. In addition, no identifiers are being collected. We cannot promise complete secrecy. Organizations that may inspect and copy your information include the IRB and other representatives of this organization.

Researcher Financial Interests in this Study

The researchers have no financial interest in this study.

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 Zilin Ma, Maxwell Dworkin 242, 33 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, zilinma@g.harvard.edu

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.