Research FAQ
What is the purpose of the Willo study?
The purpose of the Willo study is to gather data on the usability of an app that’s been designed to provide personalized recommendations for activities and resources to help maintain and improve the health of students on the UC San Diego campus.
Who is eligible to participate in the Willo study?
You’re eligible to be a part of the Willo study if you are a student here at UC San Diego. We are looking to recruit first year undergraduate students, transfer students, and medical students.
In addition, you must be able to speak and read English fluently, as well as have access to a smart device like a tablet or a smart phone so that you can download the Willo app.
What kinds of questions will I have to answer in the surveys?
These surveys will ask about your knowledge of campus resources and activities, as well as your health and wellness. Some of these questions may feel a bit personal, you do not have to answer any question that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Are there any risks associated with participating in this study?
There are minimal risks involved with participating in this study, mainly the discomfort from answering personal questions as well as the very low risk of a breach of confidentiality. However, strict measures are in place to protect your privacy.
Will I be paid for participating in this study?
In appreciation of your time and effort you will be compensated for participating in this study. You can receive up to $25 for completing the surveys, at the beginning of the study, in the winter quarter and again in the spring quarter. If you are invited to, and choose to participate in the focus group, you will receive another sixty dollars in compensation. In total, you can receive up to $135 for participating in this study. All compensation will be provided via digital gift card.
|
Completion for Campus Resources Survey |
$10 |
|
Completion for 4 Mental Health Surveys |
$5 |
|
Completion for 12 Mental Health Survey |
$10 |
|
Total |
$25 |
How will my data be protected?
Your information will be labeled with a code, the link between your information and the code will be stored separately from your survey data.
Additionally, only authorized study personnel will have access to your data.
Can I stop participating in the study?
Your participation in the Willo study is always one-hundred percent voluntary. That means you can choose to withdraw at any point during the study without any penalties or loss of benefits.
If you do choose to withdraw, please let one of our study team members know so we may note your change of status.
Who can I contact if I have questions about the study?
If you have any questions about participating in the study, you can contact the research team at the EPARC Research Team Number: (858) 534-9315.
For questions about your rights as a research participant, you can contact the UC San Diego Office of IRB Administration at (858) 246-4777 or irb@ucsd.edu.
Who gets chosen to be in the focus group?
Twenty participants from each cohort who averaged more than eight hours of use on the Willo app within thirty days of downloading will be eligible for selection for the focus group.
How long will the study last?
The study will span across one academic year. There is the option to extend your participation longer; if you agree to this, you will be contacted up to three times a year until you graduate or leave UC San Diego.
How long will the surveys take to complete?
While the time will vary from person to person, we expect the campus knowledge survey to take about up to ten minutes to complete, the five key health and wellness surveys to take about ten minutes, and the additional thirteen surveys to about thirty minutes total to complete.
How many people are participating in the study?
The study will enroll up to 850 people, including 400 first year undergraduate students, 400 newly transferred students, and 50 new medical students.
How long will my study data be stored?
Participant data will be stored indefinitely. Security measures will remain in place to protect participant privacy.
Will my data be shared with other researchers or organizations?
No data will be shared outside of UC San Diego. Any data that is shared within UC San Diego will be de-identified and cannot be traced back to you.
When and how often will I be contacted about the surveys?
You'll be contacted to complete these surveys again at the beginning of the Winter and Spring quarters. We may decide to extend the study in which you'll be invited to complete these surveys at the beginning of each quarter until you leave UC San Diego or the study is over.