Informed Consent Form 2
Title of Study: The creative reuse of viral utterances on Weibo
WHO IS CONDUCTING THE STUDY?
Principal Investigator:
· Assistant Professor Elise Stickles, The University of British Columbia
o Telephone:604 822 9824
o Email:elise.stickles@ubc.ca
Co-Investigators:
· Associate Professor Esther Pascual (primary contact), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
o Telephone: +86 (0)512 89165972
o Email:Esther.Pascual@xjtlu.edu.cn
· Professor Todd Oakley, Case Western Reserve University
o Telephone: +1 (216) 368-0798
o Email:tvo2@case.edu
· Lei Huang, PhD student in English, The University of British Columbia
o Telephone:604 822 9824
o Email:lei.cog@outlook.com
· Miaomiao Kuang, MA student in Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Shanghai International Studies University
o Telephone: +86 15518169381
o Email:mmk011711@163.com
WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY?
You are being invited to take part in this research study because you are a native (or very competent) speaker of Mandarin Chinese, are enrolled as a student at a Chinese university, and are familiar with the popular Chinese social media platform Weibo.
We are doing this study to learn more about creative language use on social media. Specifically, we want to explore how popular phrases and viral utterances are used, adapted, and understood on platforms like Weibo.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU IN THE STUDY?
If you say “Yes,” here is how we will do the study:
· You will be directed to an online survey on the WeChat platform.
· The survey consists of 20 multiple-choice questions about your personal information, Weibo usage, and your interpretation of 6 creative reusages of 2 prior viral utterances. The final question asks you to provide 2-5 similar examples.
· The total amount of time required for the survey is 10-20 minutes.
STUDY RESULTS
The results of this study will be published in academic publications (e.g. journal articles). If you would like to receive a report of the study’s findings, you can provide your email address to us, and the results will be made available to you.
IS THERE ANY WAY BEING IN THIS STUDY COULD BE BAD FOR YOU?
We do not think there is anything in the study that could harm you. The risks associated with taking part are considered minimal and are no greater than those you would encounter in everyday life.
Please let the researcher know if you require adjustments to be made in order to allow your participation. The researcher is obligated to accommodate reasonable changes and can discuss your situation with you.
WILL BEING IN THIS STUDY HELP YOU IN ANY WAY?
We do not think taking part in this study will help you directly. However, in the future, others may benefit from what we learn in this study by advancing the research of a common yet poorly studied linguistic phenomenon. You may also benefit by gaining further linguistic awareness of how language works.
HOW WILL YOUR IDENTITY BE PROTECTED?
Your confidentiality will be respected. Information that discloses your identity will not be released without your consent, unless required by law.
· Data Security: All raw data will be stored on a password-protected local computer with full-disk encryption and backed up on a dedicated, encrypted external storage device kept in a physically secure, locked cabinet.
· Pseudonymization: Your data will be pseudonymized immediately upon download with a unique Participant ID. Contact information (emails) will be stored in a separate encrypted “Master Key” document and fully removed from the main dataset used for analysis.
· International Transfer limits: Because the survey is conducted online via WeChat, and the research team spans multiple countries, your personal data will be transferred outside of Mainland China. Data will be transmitted to researchers at Case Western Reserve University (USA) and The University of British Columbia (Canada). Data is encrypted using an AES-256 bit algorithm before transmission and stored on FOIPPA-compliant OneDrive accounts.
OPEN ACCESS
Raw data will not be shared. However, fully anonymized and aggregated data may be included in academic publications or stored securely by the research team for 5 years following publication. If the data is collected anonymously (if no email is provided), it cannot be withdrawn once it has been submitted. If you choose to provide your email, once the data are made publicly available or fully anonymized into aggregated analysis, you will not be able to withdraw your data.
WILL YOU BE PAID FOR YOUR TIME?
We will not pay you for the time you take to be in this study.
WHO CAN YOU CONTACT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDY?
The researcher will answer any participant questions to ensure full understanding before consent is requested. If you have any questions or concerns about what we are asking of you, please contact the Associate Professor Esther Pascual, at Esther.Pascual@xjtlu.edu.cn or +86 (0)512 89165972.
WHO CAN YOU CONTACT IF YOU HAVE COMPLAINTS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE STUDY?
If you have any concerns or complaints about your rights as a research participant and/or your experiences while participating in this study, contact the Research Participant Complaint Line in the UBC Office of Research Ethics at 604-822-8598 or if long distance e-mail RSIL@ors.ubc.ca or call toll free 1-877-822-8598.
PARTICIPANT CONSENT AND SIGNATURE
Taking part in this study is entirely up to you. You have the right to refuse to participate in this study. If you decide to take part, you may choose to pull out of the study at any time without giving a reason and without any negative impact.
What You Are Consenting
· To By completing the survey or signing this form, you are indicating that you understand the information provided and agree to the following:
· To participate in a 10-20 minute online survey via WeChat regarding your Weibo usage and interpretation of viral utterances.
· To allow your pseudonymized data to be securely transferred to researchers in the USA and Canada for analysis.
· To allow your anonymized and aggregated data to be used in academic publications.
· That you understand your participation is entirely voluntary and you may withdraw at any time without any negative impact.
Next Steps Following Consent
· Once you indicate your consent by continuing, you will be directed to the WeChat platform to begin the survey.
How Consent is Recorded
For the Online Survey: If the questionnaire is completed, it will be assumed that consent has been given.
I agree to take part in the above study.