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Study Name: Comparing Representations and Semantics of Contribution Labels in Goal Models

Purpose of the Research: In Information Systems analysis, graphical goal models constitute a popular way for acquiring and representing user requirements. Such models allow analysts to represent how goals of users are reduced into sets of alternative system functions that fulfill top level goals. Contribution links show how functional alternatives affect higher level goals of the stakeholders, allowing them thereby to make decisions. However, many ways for representing and assigning meaning to contributions have been proposed. Which one is better? In this research we aim at understanding which one is better in terms of naturalness, i.e. in terms of what untrained users expect the result of contribution combination to be based on how it presents itself in the diagram. We also aim at understanding if individual differences can act as predictors of how users understand and use the models.

What You Will Be Asked to Do in the Research: In this research you will be asked to perform the following tasks:

1. Provide us some basic demographics: sex, age and educational background.
2. Perform tests that assess your attitude and ability in arithmetic.
3. Watch one or more instructional videos on the task you will perform next.
4. View a number of visual representations and answer comprehension or other questions pertaining to the visualizations.
5. Describe in your own words how your worked to answer the previous questions.
6. [if applicable and you consent] Have a concluding discussion with the PI or his Research Assistant to explain in your own words your opinion about the visualizations and how you worked with them.

Your participation will last between 40 and 45 mins.

Risks and Discomforts: We do not foresee any risks or discomfort from your participation in the research.

Benefits of the Research and Benefits to You: Include a statement regarding any benefits of the research as well as benefits to the research participants.

Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal: Your participation in the study is completely voluntary and you may choose to stop participating at any time. Your decision not to volunteer, to stop participating, or to refuse to answer particular questions will not influence the nature of the ongoing relationship you may have with the researchers and York University either now, or in the future. If you stop participating, you will still be eligible to receive the promised pay/compensation for agreeing to be in the project. In the event you withdraw from the study, all associated data collected will be immediately destroyed wherever possible.

Confidentiality: All personally identifying information you supply during the research – namely: name, address and  audio recording -- will be held in confidence and your name will not appear in any report or publication of the research. Your data will be collected though the use of this on-line instrument and, in the case of the follow-up interview, an audio recording device. This personally identifying data will be safely stored in a locked facility and a password protected digital medium (USB key or DVD) and only research staff/research team members will have access to this information. The personally identifying data will be destroyed by the end of 2021. Confidentiality will be provided to the fullest extent possible by law.

Your non-personally identifying responses -- including: demographics (sex, age, educational background), responses to tests and exercises as well as (anonymized, wherever necessary) transcriptions from the audio recordings -- may be published on the PI’s web-sites (personal, lab) and shared with the research community as data files. The PI will screen the data and use his own judgement to identify accidentally or indirectly personally identifying features and will redact the parts in question or, if necessary, the entire response prior to availing it to third parties. The anonymized non-personally identifying data collected in this research project may also be used by members of the research team in subsequent research investigations exploring similar lines of inquiry.

The researcher(s) acknowledge that the host of the online survey may automatically collect participant data without their knowledge (i.e., IP addresses.) Although this information may be provided or made accessible to the researchers, it will not be used or saved without participant’s consent on the researchers’ system. Further, because this project employs e-based collection techniques, data may be subject to access by third parties as a result of various security legislation now in place in many countries and thus the confidentiality and privacy of data cannot be guaranteed during web-based transmission.

Questions About the Research?  If you have questions about the research in general or about your role in the study, please feel free to contact Dr. Sotirios Liaskos by e-mail (liaskos@yorku.ca).  This research has received ethics review and approval by the Human Participants Review Sub-Committee, York University’s Ethics Review Board and conforms to the standards of the Canadian Tri-Council Research Ethics guidelines.  If you have any questions about this process, or about your rights as a participant in the study, please contact the Sr. Manager & Policy Advisor for the Office of Research Ethics, 5th Floor, Kaneff Tower, York University (telephone 416-736-5914 or e-mail ore@yorku.ca).

Legal Rights and Signatures: I consent to participate in the study “Comparing Representations and Semantics of Contribution Labels in Goal Models” conducted by Sotirios Liaskos. I have understood the nature of this project and wish to participate.  I am not waiving any of my legal rights by consenting to participate.