Assigned Subject Number:
Georgia Institute of Technology
Project Title: Program Source
Code Documentation
Investigators: Spencer Rugaber
& Shaoyu Xue
Research Consent Form
You are being asked to be a
volunteer in a research study.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study is:
·
To
examine the effectiveness of several source code documentation tools with
regard to the amount of program understanding support that they provide to the
users. Fifteen programmers of intermediate level or above will participate in
this experiment.
Procedures:
If you decide to be in this study, your part
will involve:
·
You will
be asked to fill out a background questionnaire.
·
You
will be randomly assigned to one of three groups.
·
Based
on your assignment, you will receive training for the use of a Java source code
documentation tool.
·
You
will be asked to use the tool to document a program.
·
Afterwards,
you will take a test relating to general understanding of the program.
·
Next,
you will be given a previously documented program to study.
·
You
will take another test to determine your general understanding of the second
program.
·
Lastly,
you will be asked to fill a questionnaire regarding your strategies and
opinions of the tool you used.
Risks/Discomforts
The risks involved are no greater
than those involved in daily activities such as doing a class project for a
computer science course.
Benefits
The following benefits to you are possible as a result
of being in this study:
·
Increased understanding of the use
of a source code documentation tool.
·
Increased understanding of program
comprehension strategies.
·
Increased understanding of how to
document programs.
Compensation to You
·
You will receive extra credit in the
Software Applications course for which you are enrolled.
·
If you choose to decline from
participating in this experiment, you will be offered an opportunity to earn
equal extra credit.
Confidentiality
The following procedures will be
followed to keep your personal information confidential in this study: The data that is collected about you will be
kept private to the extent allowed by law.
To protect your privacy, your records will be kept under a code number
rather than by name. Your records will
be kept in locked files and only study staff will be allowed to look at
them. Your name and any other fact that
might point to you will not appear when results of this study are presented or
published.
All experiment data will be
stored anonymously, thus establishing no connection between subjects and test
results.
To make sure that this research
is being carried out in the proper way, the Georgia Institute of Technology IRB
will review study records. Members of
the Food and Drug Administration may also look over study records during
required reviews. The Office of Human
Research Protections may also look at study records.
Costs to You
·
There
are no financial obligations for the subjects.
Subject Rights
·
Your
participation in this study is voluntary. You do not have to be in this study
if you don't want to be.
·
You
have the right to change your mind and leave the study at any time without giving
any reason, and without penalty.
·
Any
new information that may make you change your mind about being in this study
will be given to you.
·
You
will be given a copy of this consent form to keep.
·
You
do not waive any of your legal rights by signing this consent form.
Questions about the
Study or Your Rights as a Research Subject
·
If
you have any questions about the study, you may contact Dr. Spencer Rugaber, at
telephone (404) 894-8450.
·
If
you have any questions about your rights as a research subject, you may contact
Ms.
If you sign below, it means that
you have read (or have had read to you) the information given in this consent form, and you are willing to be a volunteer in
this study.
________________________________
Subject Name
Subject Signature Date
Signature of Person Obtaining
Consent Date