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Dear Prospective Participant,



Thank you for considering participating in the research project titled “The interplay between User- Avatar Relationship aspects, Proteus Effect and Internet Gaming Disorder behaviours among World of Warcraft Players”. This research is conducted by the Cairnmillar Gaming Research Group at the Cairnmillar Institute, under the supervision of Dr. Vasileios Stavropoulos.



Please take your time to read and familiarise yourself with the contents of this document. This document will explain why this research is being conducted, who the researchers are targeting, the possible benefits that may accrue as a result of your participation, possible risks, who to contact if you have questions, requirements of participation, getting started, and information regarding your rights to confidentiality.



Why is this research being conducted?



The aim of this research is to investigate the association between user-avatar relationship aspects, Proteus Effect behaviours and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) behaviours among players of World of Warcraft. The user-avatar relationship refers to the bond between the gamer and his/her figure of representation in the game. The Proteus Effect refers to how an individual’s attitudes and behaviours are influenced by his/her game avatar. A better understanding of these factors will assist researchers and clinicians in the understanding of helpful and unhelpful gaming behaviours. IGD is a relatively new area of research about which there is much to learn and understand. Your involvement in this study will help drive the research forward. By participating in this research, you will be representing the wider community of gamers.



Who is eligible to participate?



If you are a World of Warcraft gamer (current or previous) and you are 18 or older, then you are eligible to participate in this research.





Your participation





It is important to note that your participation in this research is entirely voluntary and no identifying information will be collected, meaning that the researchers will not be able to trace the answers back to you. Whether or not you choose to participate will have no adverse consequences for you. You, as the participant, have the right to withdraw from the study at any time prior to submission of the completed questionnaire. Submission of the completed questionnaire will imply your consent. However, since there is no identifying information collected, it is not possible for you to withdraw from the research after submission of the questionnaire. Should you choose to participate, the results of your answers will be combined with those of a larger group of participants who have previously completed this same questionnaire. Again, the researchers will be unable to link the answers to you. All information you share with the researchers will remain strictly confidential and anonymous and will only be accessed by the researchers for the purposes of the present and future studies. The data collected will be stored securely for a minimum of five years, after which all data will be destroyed.





If you choose to participate what will you be asked to do?





If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire online which will be hosted on SurveyMonkey and/or Survey Gismo. This will take approximately 15 – 25 minutes. The questionnaire is comprised of demographic questions (e.g., age, gender), gaming questions (e.g., favourite game, user avatar relationship), and questions which pertain to IGD behaviours.





Possible benefits





You may gain some benefit from participating in this research in so far as you may attain a better understanding of your experience when playing games.





Possible risks





The research is not likely to distress you. However, the researchers understand that some questions may be sensitive. Should you require support during or after the study, please contact the support agencies shown below.





Lifeline: 13 11 14







Beyond Blue: 1300 22 463







Headspace (age: 12-25 years old): 1800 55 1800







SANE Australia: 1800 18 7263





This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at The Cairnmillar Institute and will comply with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, 2012).





If you would like further information regarding this study, please contact the Principal Researchers Dr Vasileios Stavropoulos or one of the student researchers. If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any questions about your rights as a research participant, then you may also contact the Secretary to the Human Research Ethics Committee. All contact details can be found below.





Once the theses arising from this research have been completed, a brief summary of the findings will be made available to you upon request. It is important to reaffirm that the results will not include any information that identifies you.





The research team appreciates and thanks you for taking the time to read the enclosed information.





Principal Researcher

Dr Vasileios Stavropoulos

The Cairnmillar Institute 391/393 Tooronga Rd, Hawthorn East VIC 3123 Phone: 03 9813 3400

Email: vas@cairnmillar.edu.au



Student Researcher

Mr Elwin Hu

Email: 01749-16@cairnmillar.edu.au







Student Researcher

Joel Pinches

Email: 01964-17@cairnmillar.edu.au







Student Researcher

Lauren Pennacchia

Email: 01903-17@cairnmillar.edu.au



Student Researcher

Jason Lim-How

Email: 11302@cairnmillar.edu.au







Student Researcher

Vincent Wang

Email: 01932-17@cairnmillar.edu.au



Student Researcher

Maria Morcos

Email: 01879-17@cairnmillar.edu.au







Student Researcher

John Rennie

Email: 01870-17@cairnmillar.edu.au



Secretary to the HREC

The Cairnmillar Institute

391/393 Tooronga Rd, Hawthorn East VIC 3123

Phone: 03 9813 3400

Email: hrec@cairnmillar.edu.au





CONSENT





I CERTIFY THAT:





● I have read and understood the information provided in the Plain Language Statement (PLS) and understand that this project will be conducted for research purposes only;





● I have had the opportunity to seek clarification and request further information about the research;





● I have been informed that all information provided by me will remain confidential;





● I am voluntarily giving my consent to participate in this study;





Please commence the questionnaire by signing and clicking next.