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15.3 Care and handling of research participants 475

INFORMED CONSENT FORM
Evaluating Menu Selection Task Performance
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: A. Researcher
Department of Computer and Information Sciences
Research University Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: researcher@research.edu

Purpose of the Study: The goal of this study is to understand how computer interfaces might be
customized to best suit the needs of users. Participants will be asked to use a menu interface to
find items in various multilevel hierarchy designs. Task completion times and subjective
responses will be used to determine which (if any) design is most suitable for these users.

Procedures: Participation in this study will involve two phases. In the first phase, you will be asked to use a web
browser to make selections from a menu of choices, in order to locate a specified entry. You will be given the
opportunity to try a sample task, and then you will be asked to complete multiple tasks with different menu
structures. This study should take about one hour to complete.

After you have completed the experimental tasks, we may ask you some questions about the various interfaces.
These questions will be designed to help us understand which (if any) of the interfaces you preferred, and why.
We may also ask some general questions about your habits and practices with respect to computer use.

Risks/Discomfort: You may become fatigued during the course of your participation in the study. You will be given
several opportunities to rest, and additional breaks are also possible. There are no other risks associated with
participation in the study. Should completion of either the task or the interview become distressing to you, it will be
terminated immediately.

Benefits: It is hoped that the results of this study will be useful for the development of guidelines for the design of
user interfaces that will help people use computers more effectively.

Alternatives to Participation: Participation in this study is voluntary. You are free to withdraw or discontinue
participation at any time.

Cost and Compensation: Participation in this study will involve no cost to you. You will be paid for your
participation.
FIGURE 15.1
Informed consent form.

language in informed consent forms that would waive legal rights or absolve re-
searchers of legal responsibility. The use of informed consent forms—even those
that are approved by IRBs (see Section 15.3.3) should not be seen as a green light to
move forward with research that may otherwise raise questions regarding respect for
the rights and concerns of participants.
Evolution of the research landscape often spurs innovation in informed consent
practices. Complexity is often a challenge for studies that may involve some risk
to participant privacy, as long consent forms laden with technical information may
be difficult to understand. Concerns about the complexity of detailed consent form