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IRB STUDY # 1402689735



INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDY INFORMATION SHEET FOR



Demographics and Usage Patterns of Sports Fans on Reddit





You are invited to participate in a research study which examines the usage patterns and demographics of people who visit the sports sub-reddit on the social news site Reddit. You were selected as a possible subject because you clicked a link on the sports sub-reddit. We ask that you read this form and ask any questions you may have before agreeing to be in the study.



The study is being conducted by Dr. Galen Clavio and Ryan Vooris of the Department of Sport Management at Indiana University-Bloomington.



STUDY PURPOSE



The purpose of this study is to acquire basic demographic information and usage patterns about visitors to the popular social news site, Reddit. In particular, this study focuses on a section of that website (known as a sub-reddit) devoted to sports-related content. Reddit is a social news sites where visitors submit links to various kinds of internet content and comment on that content.



PROCEDURES FOR THE STUDY:



If you agree to be in the study, you will take a 5-10 minutes survey which asks some basic demographics questions and asks you to assess your usage patterns on Reddit. The survey will be anonymous.



CONFIDENTIALITY



You will not be asked to disclose your name or Reddit username. Efforts will be made to keep your personal information confidential. We cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality. Your personal information may be disclosed if required by law.



Organizations that may inspect and/or copy your research records for quality assurance and data analysis include groups such as the study investigator and his/her research associates, the Indiana University Institutional Review Board or its designees, and (as allowed by law) state or federal agencies, specifically the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) who may need to access your research records.



PAYMENT



You will not receive payment for taking part in this study.





CONTACTS FOR QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS



For questions about the study, contact the researcher Dr. Galen Clavio at gclavio2@indiana.edu or 812-855-3367 or Ryan Vooris at rvooris@indiana.edu



For questions about your rights as a research participant or to discuss problems, complaints or concerns about a research study, or to obtain information, or offer input, contact the IU Human Subjects Office at (317) 278-3458 or [for Indianapolis] or (812) 856-4242 [for Bloomington] or (800) 696-2949.



VOLUNTARY NATURE OF STUDY



Taking part in this study is voluntary. You may choose not to take part or may leave the study at any time. Leaving the study will not result in any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are entitled. Your decision whether or not to participate in this study will not affect your current or future relations with Indiana University.

