Volunteer Consent Form

We are seeking your participation in a research project focused on how people experience and think about online news. In particular, we are interested in your thoughts and experiences concerning the differences between traditional news articles and hypertext news articles. It is our understanding that you enjoy reading online news and have some familiarity with how the World Wide Web works. About 20 people will be involved in this study.

If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to read an online news article for 10 minutes and then discuss your experience in a brief interview. The interview will last from 20-45 minutes depending on the length of your answers and will be tape recorded so that we can maintain the accuracy and detail of your responses. Your name will not be recorded on the tape or interview sheet; an anonymous code will be used and your name will be known to at most two persons: the interviewer and Dr. Robert Huesca, the director of this study. You may be assured that any reports of this research will contain only data of an anonymous nature; your name will not be used.

The goal of this study is to learn more about how people experience different news formats. It is hoped that the information gathered in this study will be of use to communicators who are interested in using the internet more effectively in the gathering and distribution of news. You will receive a $10 gratuity for participating in this study.

Any questions you have regarding this research may be directed to the director of the study, Dr. Robert Huesca at Trinity University, Department of Communication, 715 Stadium Drive, San Antonio, TX 78212-7200, tel. 210-736-8169. Information about this research project can be obtained from Paul Giolma, Institutional Review Board at Trinity University, tel. 210-736-7563.

Your signature below indicates that you agree to participate in this research and that:

1. We have read the information written above and you understand the nature of this study.

2. You understand that participation is voluntary and that refusal to participate will not penalize you in any way.

3. You understand that you are free to withdraw from participation at any time.

Participant Date

Interviewer Date

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