You are invited to participate in a research study where we will be studying the effects of a modification to the Wikipedia editing interface. By participating in this study, you will be testing an experimental change to one aspect of the Wikipedia interface. All that you have to do is edit Wikipedia as you would normally. After the observation is complete, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and you'll be able to continue using the interface modification if you like. We anticipate that the observation period will last less than a month, but you will be able to opt out at any time.
This study is being conducted by Aaron Halfaker et al, at the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Minnesota.
Background Information
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether we can promote awareness and communication between editors through modification of the user interface. We hope that by understanding the impact of such interface changes we can improve a user's editing experience, consolidate the community, and bring more new editors into Wikipedia.
Procedures
If you agree to be in this study, we would ask you to install our tool (instructions are given after you agree to participate), which will alter your editing interface when you try to undo edits made by other people. The tool will also be recording your editing behavior when you try to perform an undo.
Risks and Benefits of Being in the Study
A potential risk that may concern some people is that we will be recording your undo attempts through our tool, even if you did not undo in the end. All other information we will record is already publicly available through Wikipedia itself.
On the other hand, we do believe that our tool can provide useful extra information and features at times when you attempt an undo, and might even provide benefit to other editors on Wikipedia as well.
Compensation
There will be no compensation for participating in this study.
Confidentiality
The records of this study will be kept private. In any sort of report we might publish, we will not include any information that will make it possible to identify a subject. Research records will be stored securely and only researchers will have access to the records.
Voluntary Nature of the Study
Participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with the University of Minnesota. If you decide to participate, you are free to not answer any questions or to withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.
Contacts and Questions
The principle researcher conducting this study is Aaron Halfaker. You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you are encouraged to contact him at 4-192 EE/CS Building, 200 Union ST SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, halfak@cs.umn.edu, or contact his advisor Prof. John Riedl at +1 612 624-7372, riedl@cs.umn.edu. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study and would like to talk to someone other than the researcher(s), you are encouraged to contact the Research Subjects’ Advocate Line, D528 Mayo, 420 Delaware St. Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455; +1 612 625-1650.
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