Consent to Participate in Research

Since you are 18 years of age or older, you are invited to participate in a study investigating how adults use the Twitter micro-blogging service. You will be one of 300 participants in this study. We hope to learn more about social media. You were selected as a possible participant in this study because you fit the criteria of the population we are interested in studying.
 
If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire of 50 items grouped on 30 web pages. Your participation in this study will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
 
Any information obtained in this study in which you can be identified will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission. Data will be reported in aggregate form only. At the beginning of your participation, you will be asked for the screen name of your primary Twitter account. Your screen name will be used to collect public data about your account (i.e., date created, number of followers, etc.) but will never be disclosed.

Participation is entirely voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your future relations with Wichita State University. If you decide to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your status with Wichita State University. There are no anticipated risks during this study. If any question causes you discomfort, feel free not to answer it.
 
If you have any questions about this research, please contact Cindy Kelly at (316) 978-3170 or on Twitter. If you have additional questions about this research, you may contact Dr. Barbara Chaparro at (316) 978-3683. If you have questions pertaining to your rights as a research subject, or about research-related injury, you can contact the Office of Research Administration at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67260-0007, telephone (316) 978-3285.
 
You are making a decision whether or not to participate by clicking on the link below.