SUTD-IRB Reference No.: IRB-22-00511
You and your child are invited to participate in a research study. This information sheet provides you with information about the research. The Principal Investigator (the person in charge of this research) or his representative will also describe this research to you and answer all your questions. Read the information below and ask questions about anything you don’t understand before deciding if you want your child to take part or not.
- Project title: Robotic Animal Bookshelves for Shared Reading Spaces
- Principal Investigator and co-investigators
| Dr Wang Yixiao | Mr Bryan Chew Lijie | Mr Chen Jiasen | Mr. Hong Pin Koh |
| Principal Investigator | Co-Investigator | Co-Investigator | Co-Investigator |
| Computer Science and Design (CSD) and Design and Artificial Intelligence (DAI), SUTD | Engineering Product Development (EPD), SUTD | Design and Artificial Intelligence (DAI), SUTD | Design and Artificial Intelligence (DAI), SUTD |
| +65 96467246 yixiao_wang@sutd.edu.sg | +65 94573008 bryan_chew@mymail.sutd.edu.sg | jiasen_chen@mymail.sutd.edu.sg | hongpin_koh@sutd.edu.sg |
- What is the purpose of this research?
The purpose of this research is to investigate the human-robot interactions between a child and a robotic animal bookshelf, especially with other forms of entertainment present such as iPad games/cartoons and toys.
- Who can participate in the research? What is the expected duration of participation?
Any individuals who meet the following criteria can participate in this research:
- Parents who have at least one child between 5 and 7 (the one parent who attends the study with his/her child should be the legal guardian of the child).
- The child needs to be between 5 and 7 years old.
- Both the child and the parent need to speak English.
- The child should be healthy with no mobility difficulties since this study involves playing with different sets of entertainment.
This study will take approximately 45 minutes, 10 minutes for study introduction, 20 minutes for your child interacting with the robotic bookshelf, and 15 minutes for a survey and interview with both you and your child.
- What is the approximate number of participants involved?
This study will involve 1 child together with the accompanying parent(s). In total, we will try to involve 12 pairs of parent-child.
- What will be done if you and your child take part in this research?
This study will be divided into two components: interaction observation and an interview. In the interaction observation, your child will be invited into an interior space with various forms of entertainment; a playset, an iPad with games, and the robotic bookshelf. Your child will be allowed to freely play for 20 minutes, and the bookshelf will activate its robotic features at different times during this duration depending on what your child decides to engage with. After the 20 minutes, your child will take a survey for 5 minutes, and a 10-minute interview will be conducted with both you and your child together.
- How will our privacy and confidentiality be protected?
Video and audio data collected will be transcribed as soon as possible. Following transcription, the raw data will be stored on a password-protected hard disk in the secure server at SUTD with access only for the research team members, with only the
de-identified transcripts being used for analysis. All data collected will be kept confidential and only analyzed in aggregate form, with no personally identifiable information presented in publications and presentations.
- What are the possible discomforts and risks for participants?
There are no anticipated risks for participants in this research, apart from mild tiredness from the reading, playing, or interviews. You can always stop for a break and continue after which. You do not have to share any information if you feel uncomfortable at any stage, and you can stop and withdraw from the study at any point in time.
- What is the compensation for any injury?
We do not foresee any risk of injury. Hence, there is no provision for compensation.
- Will there be reimbursement for participation?
Your child will receive a goody bag as an appreciation for participating the study.
- What are the possible benefits to myself, my child, and to others?
This study will provide your child an immersive experience with smart robotic technologies. This could potentially benefit your child’s reading motivation and experience, as well as his/her technology and English literacy. Moreover, the knowledge gained will benefit the public in the future.
- Can we refuse to participate in this research?
Yes, you can. Your decision to participate in this research is voluntary and completely up to you. You can also withdraw your child from the research at any time without giving any reasons, by informing the principal investigator and all the data collected from your child will be discarded. Your child can also refuse to participate at any time.
- Whom should I call if I have any questions or problems?
Please contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Wang Yixiao at +65 96467246 yixiao_wang@sutd.edu.sg or Hong Pin Koh at hongpin_koh@sutd.edu.sg or Chen Jiasen at jiasen_chen@mymail.sutd.edu.sg for all research-related matters and in the event of research-related injuries.
For an independent opinion regarding the research and the rights of research participants, you may contact the SUTD Institutional Review Board (Attn: Ms Jasmine Tan, at telephone 6499 4985 or email at irb@sutd.edu.sg). Thank you for reading this information sheet and for considering taking part in this research.