Posted 13 Apr 2016
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Dr Anthony Tang, Department of Computer Science, University of Calgary tonyt@ucalgary.ca 403-210-6912
The University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board has approved this research study.
As computer scientists, we are interested in how to design more effective tools to enable people to work together. The purpose of this study is to understand the kinds of challenges people face when engaged in group builds in Minecraft. By understanding the problem solving activities of teams, the kinds of processes they enact to address these challenges, and the workarounds they have employed, we believe that we can learn how to design better tools – both within the context of Minecraft, and other 3D modeling tools.
If you agree to participate, you will be involved in an interview (likely by Skype) about your group build activities in Minecraft. There will be four sets of questions: (a) first, about the kinds of group builds you have been involved in; (b) second, the kinds of challenges you have encountered in group builds; (c) the kinds of process you have used to solve the challenges, and (d) the kinds of cool support you have used for group builds.
The total time from start to finish should not exceed 45 minutes.
With your permission, we will audio record the interview session to support transcription. No other personally identifying information will be collected. In all written publications and presentations based on this research, you will remain anonymous – your comments will be referred to with either a participant number or a pseudonym.
Your participation is voluntary. You may refuse to answer specific questions as you see fit. You may withdraw from participation in this study at any time. Within thirty (30) days of your interview, if you choose, you may request to have your data withdrawn from the study.
There is no cost to you to participate in this study. At the completion of the interview, you will receive a $10 Amazon gift card as remuneration for participation.
If you have any further questions or want clarification regarding this research and/or your participation, please contact Dr Anthony Tang (tonyt@ucalgary.ca).
If you have any concerns about the way you’ve been treated as a participant, please contact an Ethics Resource Officer, Research Services Office, University of Calgary at (403) 210-9863; email cfreb@ucalgary.ca.
If you’d like to participate in this study, please contact Dr Anthony Tang (tonyt@ucalgary.ca).