Primary investigator: Mr W. C. Bouwer
Study leader: Dr. J. F. Human, Department of Drama and Film, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria
My name is Willie Bouwer, I am a doctoral student at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria in the Department of Drama and Film under the supervision of Dr. Francois Human.
It will be highly appreciated if you take part in a research project entitled ‘The influence of real human actors on the perceived humanness of virtual humanlike characters in film’ towards my Doctoral degree in Motion Picture Production. The purpose of the study is to critically assess the the perceived humanness of 3D virtual humanlike Characters when interacting with real human actors on screen.
Should you agree to take part in this study, you will be requested to watch a short film on line (YouTube). After watching the film through you will be requested to complete an online questionnaire about your perception of the humanness of the characters in the film. Although this study is for persons older than 18, the content of the film is family friendly.
The study typically takes less than 10 minutes to complete, this includes watching the film and completing the questionnaires for both characters.
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary and anonymous. You have the right to withdraw at any stage without any penalty or future disadvantage whatsoever and participants wishing to withdraw will not be required to furnish reasons for their decision. Your withdrawal will in no way influence your continued relationship with the research team. Note that you are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies because of your participation in this research study.
All the data that you provide in the questionnaire will be treated with complete confidentiality. This means that access to your data will be strictly limited to the researcher, the supervisors of the study and the designated examiners (appointed by the Tshwane University of Technology). Also, your questionnaire responses and personal information will be kept and stored in a confidential format that will only be accessible to the researcher. Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and through which or whereby you may be identified or identifiable will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your express permission or as required by law. It is envisaged that the results of this study be published in a scientific journal and/or presented at scientific meetings, but again without revealing the identity of any research participant. The original questionnaires will be stored in a safe place for three years, after which they will be destroyed. The results of the study will not be used for punitive measures.
The Faculty Higher Degrees Committee and the Research Ethics Committee of the Tshwane University of Technology have approved the formal study proposal. All parts of the study will be conducted according to internationally accepted ethical principles.
The primary investigator, Mr W.C. Bouwer, can be contacted during office hours on his cellular phone at 072 377 3449 or via E-mail at wcbouwer@gmail.com The study leader, Dr. J. F. Human, can be contacted during office hours at 012 382 5496 or via E-mail at humanjf@tut.ac.za. Alternatively, you can report any serious unethical behaviour at the University’s Toll Free Hotline 0800 21 23 41.
Your participation in the study will be greatly appreciated.