Research Consent

Overview

My name is Brett Oppegaard, and my University of Hawai‘i-based research team and I are conducting a research project on GenAI digital assistants, designed for educational purposes. We are interested in testing prototypes of these GenAI assistants, and delivery systems of these GenAI assistants, such as the Journalism Watchdogs (and the UniDescription Guidedogs). In those studies, we are focused on comparing functionality, processes, content styles, composition, and interfaces, to try to improve those interactive-design experiences for users. We primarily study products and processes, not the people using these systems and tools. Thank you for your participation!

Risks and Benefits

There will be no direct benefit to you for taking part in this project. You will be benefitting primarily from using the interface design, support processes, and educational products provided. There is little to no risk to you in participating in this project. While it is possible that GenAI can "hallucinate" and create results that are not grounded in fact and truth, and also that it could create a response that a person might find upsetting or offensive, we have not had that happen in any of our alpha or beta studies. If you do have that happen, please screenshots the issue and report it to us immediately via an email to Dr. Brett Oppegaard, principal investigator on this project.

Costs and Payments

You will not receive any inducements (money, service) for your participation in the study, nor will you bear any costs for your participation.

Confidentiality

Unless you consent to such disclosure, as a way to share your perspectives to the public, we will not share any personal information, such as your full name or address. Please do not include any personal information in your survey responses. Any identifying information collected (names, organizations, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) will not be shared in publication of the material, or outside of the research staff, unless you express that consent in writing. Other agencies that have legal permission have the right to review research records. The University of Hawai'i Human Studies Program has the right to review research records for this study.

Right to Refuse or End Participation

Participation in the study is completely voluntary. You may refuse to participate, choose not to answer any question, or withdraw from the study at any time. There will be no penalty or loss of benefits for those decisions. If you do agree to participate, you can stop at any time. All participants have the right to review and delete any of their responses on research records if requested.

Contact or Questions

You may contact the UH Human Studies Program at 808.956.5007 or this email to discuss problems, concerns, and questions; obtain information; or offer input with an informed individual who is unaffiliated with the specific research protocol. Please visit the IRB website for more information on your rights as a research participant. Or, you can contact the Principal Investigator in this study: Brett Oppegaard, Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Manoa, via this email or phone 808-956-3340.