Consent Form
WikiFeed: Using information sources to drive contributions to Wikipedia

You are invited to participate in a research study about the editing habits of Wikipedia users. You were selected as a possible participant based on your Wikipedia editing history. We ask that you read this form and ask any questions you may have before agreeing to be in the study.

This study is being conducted by: Dave Musicant et al, at the Computer Science Department, Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota.

Background information

The purpose of this study is to investigate how supplying Wikipedia editors with source content relevant to their interests changes their editing habits.

Procedures

If you agree to be in this study, we would ask you to do the following things:

Sign up to our website at wikistudy.mathcs.carleton.edu and begin to use our site.

Risks, inconveniences, and benefits of being in the study

No significant risks to subjects have been identified. We have investigated Wikipedia etiquette in similar past research and will follow all norms.

The benefits to participation are: Our website could encourage higher quality edits on Wikipedia, leading to a better Wikipedia experience for the entire community. You may also find the experience enjoyable, as our website may help you identify new content for you to add to Wikipedia.

Compensation

We will randomly select one participant to receive a $50 gift certificate to amazon.com 

Confidentiality

We will keep all facts about you private. We will keep your records private to the extent allowed by law. We will use a study number rather than your user name on study records where we can. Your name and other facts that might point to you will not appear when we present this study or publish the results.

Voluntary nature of the study

Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with Carleton College. If you decide to participate, you are free to not answer any question or withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships. 

Contacts and questions

The researchers conducting this study are: Rachel Adams, Alex Kuntz, Morgan Marks, Will Martin, and Dave Musicant. You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you may contact Dave Musicant by email at dmusican@carleton.edu, by phone at 507-222-4369, or by post at Carleton College, 1 North College St, Northfield, MN, 55057.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study and would like to talk to someone other than the researcher(s), contact the Institutional Review Board for Research with Human Subjects at Carleton College, c/o Office of the Associate Dean of the College, Carleton College, One North College Street, Northfield MN 55057; telephone (507) 646-4301.

You will be given a copy of this information to keep for your records.

Statement of Consent:

I have read the above information. I have asked questions and have received answers. I consent to participate in the study.

[This consent form will be shown on line; buttons will be provided that indicate “Yes” or “No”. The date will be recorded if “Yes” is clicked. A PDF with this form will be generated for download so that they can have a copy if they wish.]