June 1999

Dear Students:

I am currently conducting a research project designed to study young adults looking for information on the Internet. I am asking for your voluntary participation. The study consists of a preliminary survey, completed to show your skills in using the Internet; one 30-minute session, where you will be given scenarios with a problem to solve using the World Wide Web; and a follow-up interview. The goal of the study is to identify and describe various strategies used by young adults while they locate information on the Internet.

The study will take place in St. Mark's Green Library located at 10600 Preston Road or at Ursuline Academy's Beatrice M. Haggerty Library located at 4900 Walnut Hill Lane. I will call you to set up times to conduct the Web scenarios. This part of the study will take place between June 14-July 3, 1999. You will only be required to come one of these days.

In the second part of the study, you will be required to perform tasks using the World Wide Web. During a 30- minute session, you will complete two scenarios to solve different information problems. An example of a scenario is as follows:

You are working as a summer intern for the local sports radio station, "The Ticket". Your assignment for today requires you to research player statistical information for tomorrow's game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees. During inning changes, the announcers usually converse about various players and how they performed in seasons past. Your task is to find a listing of the opposing players' statistics.

As you use the World Wide Web to answer the scenarios, you will talk aloud the steps taken to perform the various tasks. Each scenario will be recorded on an audio cassette player. The research assistant will videotape the task session to capture everything that is happening on the computer screen. A short follow-up interview is required to complete the study. Results from the sessions and interviews will be reported as group results only. Individual taped responses will be used as examples of information seeking behaviors; however, you will not be identified by name. I will retain videotapes at the study's conclusion. To preserve confidentiality, only first names will be used to identify participants.

In appreciation for your participation, we will provide a snack during the task session.

At the conclusion of the study, a summary of group results will be available. If you have any questions please contact me at (214) 352-8795 or (214) 346-8146.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.

Sincerely,

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS COMMITTEE FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS

USE OF HUMAN SUBJECTS CHILD ASSENT FORM

NAME OF SUBJECT: ________________________________________________

I permit ___________________________ to perform or supervise information seeking task and interview sessions of this research project.

I have heard a clear explanation and understand the tasks that are required of me. I understand that I may withdraw from the study at any time. With my understanding of this, having received this information and satisfactory answers to the questions I have asked, I voluntarily consent to participate in this study.

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