We invite you to participate in a voluntary research study, the primary purpose of which is to gain an understanding of how your personality and perceptions of COVID-19 topics are related.
If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire and have a conversation with a built-in chatbot. The level of risk related to this research study is expected to be minimal, and no greater than you would encounter in your daily life. The benefits of this study to society are expected to include a better understanding of personality and improve the methods of communicating information about COVID-19 to the public.


Principal Investigator:
Dr. Brent Roberts
Full Professor
Psychology department
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
bwrobrts@illinois.edu


Why am I being asked?
You have been chosen to participate in a research study about relationships between personality and people's perceptions toward, and knowledge of, COVID-19. Participants have to be at least 18 years old.


Your participation in this research is voluntary. Your decision about whether to participate will not affect your current or future dealings with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without it affecting that relationship.


What procedures are involved?
This research will be performed online. You will be asked to complete an online survey and be turned to an online page to chat with a chatbot, which will take approximately 30 minutes in total.


What are the potential risks and discomforts?
You may feel upset due to thinking about personal information related to your opinions. These risks are similar to those you experience when discussing personal information with others, and are anticipated to be minimal. If you feel upset by this experience, you can notify the Principal Investigator, who will tell you about resources that are available to help you.


Are there benefits to participating in the research?
The study's benefits to society include a better understanding of people's personality, COVID-19 related perceptions and knowledge.


What other options are there?
You have the option of not participating in this study.


Will my study-related information be kept confidential?
Those faculty, staff, students, and others with permission or authority to see your study information will maintain its confidentiality to the extent permitted and required by law and university policies. Your name and personally identifiable information will not be published or presented.


Will I be reimbursed for any expenses or paid for my participation in this research?
If you take part in this study via SONA system, you will receive 1 credit after your work is accepted. Please note that there may be periodic attention tests throughout the study, and those who fail those tests will be excluded from granting the credit.


Can I withdraw or be removed from the study?
If you decide to participate, as mentioned above, you are free to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation at any time. The researchers also have the right to end your participation in this study without your consent, if they believe it is in your best interests, or if you object to future changes that may be made in the study plan.


Will data collected from me be used for any other research?
Your de-identified information could be used in future research without additional informed consent.


Whom should I contact if I have questions?
You should contact Dr. Brent Roberts at bwrobrts@illinois.edu if you have any questions about this study or your part in it, or if you have concerns or complaints about the research.


What are my rights as a research subject?
If you have any questions about your rights as a participant in this study, please contact the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office for the Protection of Research Subjects, at 217-333-2670 or irb@illinois.edu.


Participant's statement
I have read the above information. I have been given an opportunity to ask questions, and any questions I have asked have been answered to my satisfaction. I agree to participate in this research.
If I select "Yes" as my answer to the following question, I am acknowledging that I have read the information in this consent form and volunteer to participate in the study it describes.
I am at least 18 years old, agree to participate in this study, and have read the consent form above.