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Rec Reference …………….

Date received: ……………

Application form – Queen Mary Research Ethics Committee

1 Name, department and email address of applicant

Group 6
Department of Computer Science
ec09546@eecs.qmul.ac.uk; ec09590@eecs.qmul.ac.uk; ec09614@eecs.qmul.ac.uk;
ec09528@eecs.qmul.ac.uk; ec09370@eecs.qmul.ac.uk; ec09373@eecs.qmul.ac.uk

2 Title of study
Enhancement, manipulation and creation of images using multi-touch screen.

3 Investigators
Mr Jean Baptiste Thiebaut, Lecturer
Address: Department of Computer Science, Queen Mary, University of London, London E14
NS
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7882 5200
Email: jbt@dcs.qmul.ac.uk

4 Proposed timetable
Start date: October 27 2009
Duration: 9 weeks
End date: January 05 2010

• 5 days: giving out questionnaires to participants.

• 7 days: recruit participants for the observational study
• 7 days: analyse collected data
• 2 days: literature review of existing multi-touch screen applications
• 4 days: develop prototype of proposed application
• 7 days: evaluation of prototype by participants
• 1 day: oral presentation of prototype
• 4 weeks: documentation

5 Other organisations involved

Recruitment of participants will be conducted at high schools, universities and colleges in
Tower Hamlet Borough. They have provided a letter allowing us access to their students, for
this research to be conducted in their premises and exempting themselves of any liability if
there should be any damage to equipments whilst the experiment is ongoing.
6 Other REC approval
N/A

7 Nature of project e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate

This is a postgraduate group research project.

8 Purpose of the research

The main objective of this study is to enable end users to have access to an interface that is
very interactive and allows them to easily work on and manipulate images using multi-touch
screen. Therefore this process helps to eliminate the difficulty and frustrations that are
encountered with the use of mouse and keyboard.

Anticipated benefits:
• It will enable users irrespective of their basic knowledge of computer software to create
and edit photos.
• It will be a form of education not only to children but also to people of all ages; they are
able to play and learn thereby increasing their level of creativity and innovativeness.
• users are able to have access to an interactive interface where they can manipulate
images (photos), carry out various modifications such as adding different shades of colour,
resizing, reshaping, positioning and orientation, using pictures such as jigsaw puzzle
game.
• The efficiency of the users is increased and also the professionals’ time is optimally utilised
since this process will eventually lead to a reduction in the time taken to create the photo
albums.

The result of this study will guide the design and prototyping of a photo/image editing multi-
touch screen, that aims at minimising the steps involved in carrying out simple tasks thereby
reducing time and improving efficiency of users.

9 Study design, methodology and data analysis

Study design: this study will combine two study design methods 1) Qualitative - to identify
existing problems users experience when using photo/image editing tools. 2) Quantitative -
measuring the spent time editing an image. It will be the basis for the selection criteria
explained below.

Methodology: each participant would be given a set of pre-defined task to complete; they will
be audio-visually recorded including their key strokes for later analysis. The key stroke
recordings will enable us to determine the total number of steps they required to carry out a
single task, the elapsed time and any repetitive movement if any. In addition, the audio-visual
recordings will enable us to assess the stage where the participant might have been struggling
to complete a task e.g. where are there attention (eyes) focused on etc. they would also be
encouraged to speak out loud their thoughts at a point where they seem to be quite.

Prior to the selection of participants, questionnaire will be administered to them. It focuses on

identifying the skill set of participants and their current opinion of any photo editing tool they
have used. It aims to elicit if designing the application in multi-touch would solve the most
common problems mentioned by users. The questionnaire asks participants to answer
questions about how often they use different features and which difficulties related to using
mouse and keyboard they have experience.
A forum exists on our company website where participants can express their views and
feedbacks, check the prototype, current status of the system etc.

Data Analysis: the recordings of the participants completing the set task will be transcribed
and the problems the encountered noted. This data will be compared to the responses
provided by the participant at the recruitment phase to assess how the two correlate.

10 Participants to be studied
Students who attend high schools, colleges and university in the target borough will be
approached to participate in this study.

Age range of participants : 15 – 35 years

Gender Mix : 50% Male and 50% Female
Number of participants : 30

11 Selection criteria

30 participants will be recruited for this research and should have the following as a minimum:
1) they should be computer literate; 2) have previous experience of using photo/image editing
tool e.g. Photoshop, Picasa, Microsoft Office Picture manager etc. They would be equal
number of male and female aged between 15 and 35.

Since this research is going to identify problematic aspects of the user experience of common
photo/image editing tools, it is imperative that the participants should have had at least basic
experience in using these kinds of tools.

Although photo/image editing tools are and can be used by different age groups, those
between 15 and 35 years old use these applications more frequently hence the choice of our
selection criteria of those within this age ranges. Satisfying the needs of this group seems
more profitable. Although the age group is limited, the multi-touch screen could be deployed at
home where children can use it to enhance their learning and knowledge.

12 Recruitment (including incentives and compensation)

Head teachers, Student unions of the high schools, colleges and universities in the Tower
Hamlet Borough will be approached and asked to participate in the study and obtain a consent
form from them. The representative that consented will approach students in their respective
environments. The onus is on them to choose and administer the questionnaire to the best
category based on the selection criteria. Prior to that, the details of the study will be properly
and clearly explained to them. If they wish to participate, the questionnaire will be
administered and detailed written information about the study will be provided also.

The representative will make them aware that they do not have to take part in the study if they
decide not to; it is perfectly acceptable to withdraw at any time without giving a reason; any
information they provide will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Participants will
receive £5 WHSmith vouchers as a ‘thank you’ for co-operating.

13 Ethical considerations and risks to participants

Participants may not completely relax and concentrate with the awareness that their actions
are being recorded. However, prior to the start of the study, participants will be made aware of
this and given the opportunity to opt out if they wish to do so. In the event that a participant
withdraws, they will be informed that their audio-visual recordings will be destroyed.
Participants will be assured that the questionnaire is not for assessing their knowledge or
skills.

14 Confidentiality, anonymity, and data storage

Confidentiality: only the researchers directly involved in this study will have access to the
information gathered which will not be disclosed directly or indirectly to a third party. Any
references which may identify the user will be removed when correlating the qualitative data
against the quantitative. Any personal data provided will be stored according to the Data
Protection Act 1998.

If the research data and information is to be used for any purpose outside this study or the
participants contacted at a later date for further research this will be indicated in the
information sheet and consent form as appropriate.

Anonymity: participants will be made aware that all personal data that may identify them will
be anonymized and stored in a secure location for 7 years after the termination of the study.
Access to the data will solely be on a need to know basis.

The information sheet or consent form is clearly stated that the information therein will not be
passed to a third party or sponsoring company and that the identity of the research participant
will not be revealed under any circumstance without due consent from the research participant
and duly signed.

The following records is collated into a separate single file and stored securely for the period
specified in the application form and at the end of the time stipulated time the records may be
destroyed as required:
1. A copy of research protocol
2. A copy of the application to QMREC and its approval
3. A copy of data sets or images stored
A copy of the eventual publication arising from the research study

15 Information for participants

See attached document

16 Consent
See attached document

17 Signature of applicant and authorising signatories.

Principal Investigator

Other Applicant(s)

(Head of Department)
 Pro forma information sheet and consent form

Information sheet

Research study [Enhancement, manipulation and creation of images using multi-touch

screen.]: information for participants

We would like to invite you to be part of this research project, if you would like to. You should
only agree to take part if you want to; it is entirely up to you. If you choose not to take part there
won’t be any disadvantages for you and you will hear no more about it.

Please read the following information carefully before you decide to take part; this will tell you why
the research is being done and what you will be asked to do if you take part. Please ask if there is
anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.

If you decide to take part you will be asked to sign the attached form to say that you agree.

You are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason.

Purpose of the study

The purpose of this application is to design, prototype and test an application that currently uses
mouse and keyboard as main forms of input using multi-touch screens.

Why were you chosen?

We are asking you to participate because you met the eligibility criteria and therefore is suitable
to undertake the study.

What will happen if you participate?

You will be asked to complete some pre-defined tasks if you decide to participate. Your actions
will be audio-visually recorded for later analysis by our team of researchers. The recording will
enable us to identify problematic aspects of the application you may not be able to articulate
coherently. You will receive £5 WHSmith vouchers as a token of our appreciation for your
participation.

Possible disadvantages of participating?

You are free to withdraw if you find the recording disconcerting. Providing personal details on the
question is optional but it would enable us to contact you again if we need you to participate in
further studies.

Benefits of taking part

There is no viable benefit to you in the meantime until the product is ready for mass production
when you will be given exclusive right to be the first to use the application. You will be entered
into a draw for a chance to win one of the applications.

My confidentiality
All information you provide for this study will be kept strictly confidential and will not be share with
third parties. However, any detail that may identify you will be completely removed if the data is to
be shared. The video recordings will be destroyed once at the termination of the study.

What if something goes wrong?

There is no danger, harm or injury to you as a result of your participation.

What about the results of this study

The result of the study will be available on our website and forums where you would be able to
express your views and view prototypes of the application at each stage of the development.

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.
 Consent form

Please complete this form after you have read the Information Sheet and/or listened to
an explanation about the research.

Title of Study: Enhancement, manipulation and creation of images using multi-touch screen.
Queen Mary Research Ethics Committee Ref: ________________

← • Thank you for considering taking part in this research. The person
organizing the research must explain the project to you before you agree to take part.
← • If you have any questions arising from the Information Sheet or
explanation already given to you, please ask the researcher before you decide whether
to join in. You will be given a copy of this Consent Form to keep and refer to at any time.
← • I understand that if I decide at any other time during the research that I no
longer wish to participate in this project, I can notify the researchers involved and be
withdrawn from it immediately.
← • I consent to the processing of my personal information for the purposes
of this research study. I understand that such information will be treated as strictly
confidential and handled in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act
1998.
Participant’s Statement:
I ___________________________________________ agree that the research
project named above has been explained to me to my satisfaction and I agree to take
part in the study. I have read both the notes written above and the Information Sheet
about the project, and understand what the research study involves.
Signed: Date:

Investigator’s Statement:
I ___________________________________________ confirm that I have carefully
explained the nature, demands and any foreseeable risks (where applicable) of the
proposed research to the volunteer