Please read and then click “agree” or “disagree” to continue on to the survey.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Consent for Participation in Research
“An Investigation into Making Online Anatomy Resources Accessible to Students by  Using a Web 2.0 Platform”

Why am I being asked?

You are being asked to be a subject in a research study about the usefulness and usability of the website, “Think Anatomy.”  The study is being conducted by Vanessa Ruiz, a graduate student in Biomedical Visualization at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  You have been asked to participate in the research because you recently visited the website.  We ask that you read this form and ask any questions you may have before agreeing to be in the research.

Your participation in this research is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future dealings with the University of Illinois at Chicago.  If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting that relationship.

What is the purpose of this research?

Anatomy is an intense course requiring memorization, understanding, and commitment from students wanting to succeed.  Anatomy education is suffering today from many variables, the most detrimental of which is decreased time available for teaching.  The less time spent in lecture and in lab means that students need to take the initiative to find resources and study on their own.  Students today have grown up using the Internet, which has turned into one of the top sources of information.  Therefore, anatomy students are going to turn to the Internet to find anatomy resources such as illustrations, interactives, dissection videos, etc., to help them create a personalized learning experience.  There are a lot of anatomy resource websites on the Internet with varying levels of quality, created by universities, professors, students and other professionals.  Currently, there is not a dedicated centralized directory for all of these resources.  Students must search anatomy resources using major search engines such as Google or Yahoo!, losing valuable time trying to find a site that suits their study needs.

The purpose of this research is to create an online information portal specifically for links to Internet anatomy resources that will help students in their study of human anatomy.  The questions being asked in this survey are meant to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of this website.

What procedures are involved?

Upon agreeing to participate in this research, you will be asked to fill out an online survey.

What are the potential risks and discomforts?

There are no potential risks or discomforts associated with this research.

Are there benefits to taking part in the research?

By participating in this research you will help shape the development and evolution of this website. This will benefit students studying anatomy by allowing them to easily find online anatomy resources through a well designed website.

What other options are there?

You have the option to not participate in this study.

What about privacy and confidentiality?

The people who will know that you are a research subject are members of the research team.  No information about you, or provided by you during the research, will be disclosed to others.

Any information obtained on you from this study will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission.  Personal information will consist of your name, email address, and answers to the survey questions.  This data will be stored on the personal computer of Vanessa Ruiz and will only be used by her and her research committee.  After the study is completed, all personal information will be deleted from the computer’s hard drive.

Can I withdraw or be removed from the study?

If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation at any time.  You are not required to complete each survey question in order to remain in the study.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Please feel free to contact the researcher, Vanessa Ruiz, before and/or after completing the survey.  You may contact the researcher at:

Phone: (847)542-7849

Email: vanessa@thinkanatomy.com

Research advisor: Donna Hughes  email: donna@hughesdesign.com

What are my rights as a research subject?

If you feel you have not been treated according to the descriptions in this form, or if you have any questions about your rights as a research subject, including questions, concerns, or complaints, you may call the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) at 312-996-1711 or 1-866-789-6215 (toll-free) or email OPRS at uicirb@uic.edu.

What if I am a UIC student?

You may choose not to participate or to stop your participation in this research at any time.  This will not affect your class standing or grades at UIC.  The investigator may also end your participation in the research.  If this happens, your class standing or grades will not be affected.  You will not be offered or receive any special consideration if you participate in this research.

What if I am a UIC employee?

Your participation in this research is in no way a part of your university duties, and your refusal to participate will not in any way affect your employment with the university, or the benefits, privileges, or opportunities associated with your employment at UIC.  You will not be offered or receive any special consideration if you participate in this research.

Consent

I have read (or someone has read to me) the above information.  I have been given an opportunity to ask questions and my questions have been answered to my satisfaction.  I understand that in replying to this survey questionnaire, I agree to participate in this research.

Agree

Disagree