Research Study Participant Information
Thank you very much for your interest in our research! I’m Yuko, a PhD candidate at the Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, and the principal investigator of the project.
This study is entitled “How well can you rotate an object in your mind with AR glasses on?” We use smart glasses called Microsoft HoloLens 2 to test your spatial ability in AR space. It is quite fun to try out the latest AR device while you are taking on the challenge of mental visualisation skills!
How do I take part?
Please just email me at yuko.suzuki@open.ac.uk with your preferred time and date (one session will take 30-40min, but please allow a bit more just in case!). Available slots are from 8:30am to 1pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (or weekends if you would like) in February 2023 at a location in KT1, very close to Kingston School of Art.
If you can, please attach the signed consent form. The consent form can be downloaded from the link below.
Contact details
Researcher: Yuko Suzuki
Email: yuko.suzuki@open.ac.uk
Alternative Contact (Supervisor): Prof. Fridolin Wild
Email: f.wild@open.ac.uk
Invitation
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully.
General information
This research is run by Yuko Suzuki, a PhD student at Institute of Educational Technology, the Open University as a part of her PhD project to develop cognitively more efficient science learning tools using head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR). This study is to investigate the impact of AR technology on people’s spatial ability, which is known to play a crucial role in science learning.
This research project has been reviewed by, and received a favourable opinion, from The Open University Human Research Ethics Committee – HREC reference number: 4540.
What does this involve?
The study involves wearing a head-mounted display device Microsoft HoloLens2, performing tasks to mentally rotate objects in Augmented Reality (AR), having the eye-tracking data taken with the non-invasive system and completing a survey questionnaire.
It will take about 45 minutes in total to complete the session in a room with ambient light which is best for eye-tracking. A researcher will be in the room with you and assist you throughout the experiment.
Who can participate?
Pretty much anyone can participate, but there are few things we would like you to know.
Because the experiment involves seeing real and virtual objects through HoloLens2, people with visual impairment are discouraged to participate although regular glasses and contact lenses can be worn under the device.
Participants must be over eighteen years of age, and they should not have Covid-19 to attend the experiment. Clinically extremely vulnerable people at higher risk from Covid-19 are also discouraged to participate because it will be run in a room where a researcher will guide through the procedure.
What will I be asked to do if I agree to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part, you will be given this information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a consent form. Although there is no recompense offered for the participation, you get to try out state-of-art AR device and to know your spatial visualisation test score if you wish to. There is no foreseen disadvantages and risks of taking part as all the procedure will be done in safe manner using a non-invasive measuring system.
In a bigger picture, developing cognitively efficient science learning tools will help people from different backgrounds engage in STEM subject and keep pace with the accelerated scientific and technological advancement of today.
How will the data I provide be used?
The data you provide includes the spatial visualisation test performance data, eye-tracking data and some basic demographic information such as your age and gender as well as experience with HoloLens2 and STEM subjects.
Your data will be stored on a password protected computer and server until the end of project completion on 31st March 2026. As soon as the data is anonymised and the analysis is complete, any data associated with the personal information will be destroyed.
Information will be used for academic reports, theses, publications, websites and social media relevant to the research. The information will be fully anonymised before being shared in any form. Once the study is consolidated in a written form, you will receive the copy of the findings.
Eye-tracking data taken during the study will be deposited in a specialist data centre after it has been anonymised, so it can be used for future research and learning. The eye-tracking data consists of position data of where your eyes are looking at and no biometric information associated to your identity will be taken.
How can I withdraw from the study?
You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time during your participation by contacting the researcher by email (yuko.suzuki@open.ac.uk) or in person during the experiment. You also have the right to ask for your data to be removed after your participation in the study by contacting the researcher by email up until the time all data have been aggregated for analysis at end of December 2022.
Thank you
Thank you very much for taking time to read the information sheet. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the researcher.
Data Protection
The Open University is the Data Controller for the personal data that you provide.
The lawful reason for processing your data will be that conducting academic research is part of The Open University’s public task. The consent we request from you relates to ethical considerations.
You have a number of rights as a data subject:
- To request a copy of the personal data we have about you
- To rectify any personal data which is inaccurate or incomplete
- To restrict the processing of your data
- To receive a copy of your data in an easily transferrable format (if relevant)
- To erase your data
- To object to us processing your data
If you are concerned about the way we have processed your personal information, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Please visit the ICO’s website for further details.