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Protocol for Screening Potential Research Participants
The following procedure will be followed for calls from persons who are interested in participating in the Doctoral Dissertation research entitled Toward a Theory for the Prediction of Simulator Sickness.
Say: Thank you for your interest in my research! Because of the nature of the research, however, there are certain restrictions on who is eligible to participate. Would you mind answering a few questions so I can determine if you are eligible to participate?
1. Are you 18 years old or older? (yes)
2. Do you have a personal history of epilepsy? (no)
3. Are you color blind? (no)
4. Have you been exposed to any form of virtual environment or virtual reality system in the last 30 days? [explain if necessary] (no)
5. Will you have a non-self-operated form of transportation away from the experimental site? In other words, you will not be walking off-campus, driving or riding a bike, skateboard, or rollerblades away from the session, correct? [explain further if necessary] (yes)
If all the answers match the ones in parentheses, the caller is eligible to participate.
If callers are not eligible, they will be told which question disqualified them and will be thanked for their interest and time. If they want more information, they will be given the opportunity to ask questions. If they were disqualified on the basis of their answer to question 4, they will be instructed that they will be invited to participate in the research once 30 days have elapsed since their last exposure to VR. If they were disqualified on the basis of their answer to question 5, they will be instructed that they will be invited to participate in the research if they can find appropriate transportation away from the experimental site.
If callers are eligible, they will be scheduled for a session and instructed on where to go for the experiment. They will then be told the following:
location: Phillips Hall, 3rd floor
Go through the door for room 344
The lab is the door on your immediate right, room 311,
"Human Factors Visual Performance Lab"
Please arrive for the experimental session in your usual state of fitness in as much as this is under your control. Please do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or any drugs (especially sedatives or tranquilizers, decongestants, or anti-histamines). Your state of fitness, as well as the questions I just asked you, will be verified again upon your arrival at the experimental site. If any of these conditions are noted, you will not be allowed to participate in the research. If you have any questions or need to reschedule for any reason (especially illness), please call me - Gina - at 657-xxxx and leave a message.Research Participant Information Questionnaire
1. What is your age? __________ years
Please circle the appropriate responses for the following questions:
2. What is your gender? Male Female
(0) (1)
3. Do you have a personal history of epilepsy or seizures? Yes No
4. Are you color blind? Yes No
5. Have you been exposed to a Virtual Reality system within the past 30 days?
Yes No
6. Do you have a non-self-operated form of transportation away from the experimental site? In other words, you will not be walking off-campus, driving, or riding a bike, skateboard, or rollerblades away from the session? Yes No
7. Are you in your usual state of good fitness (i.e., health)? Yes No
If not, what is the nature of your illness (cold, flu, etc.)? (continue on back if necessary)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
8. Which of the following medications and/or substances (including alcohol) have you have used in the past 24 hours? Please circle all that apply.
(a) Sedatives or tranquilizers
(b) Decongestants
(c) Anti-histamines
(d) Other
(e) None Research Pre-Briefing
Please read the following silently while it is read aloud to you!
Virtual reality - or "VR" - is one of the hottest new technologies of today. As you may be aware, it has many applications including education, training, data visualization, astronomy, medical applications, and remote-control. Of course, one of the biggest applications is entertainment!
There are many locations, including several in Orlando, in which people can try out VR systems. In addition, several companies such as Sega and Nintendo are working on VR systems which people can have in their homes.
Although VR can be a very enjoyable experience, some users experience mild discomfort during or, sometimes, up to 24 hours after exposure. This is a phenomenon known as "Simulator Sickness" and it has been investigated for many years by the military in conjunction with flight simulators. Simulator Sickness can be manifested in several ways such as stomach uneasiness, as might be experienced on a roller coaster ride; eyestrain, as might occur when reading or watching TV under poor lighting conditions; or an altered sense of balance, like dizziness caused by a spinning ride at an amusement park.
This experiment is for my Doctoral Dissertation entitled Toward a Theory for the Prediction of Simulator Sickness. In this research, I am proposing a way which might help researchers understand and predict Simulator Sickness. I will be looking at several variables to see if they are predictive of sickness incidence and severity.
The session today is divided into three segments. In the remainder of this first segment, you will be asked to complete a paper and pencil test and then you will be given a short test to measure the stability of your stance. All of the data collected will be investigated to see if they are useful as predictors of sickness. This segment of the experimental session should take around 30 minutes.
In the second segment, you will play a game using a low-end VR system. This system is much cheaper than most VR systems and is likely representative of what people might one day have in their homes. You will be asked to play for 20 minutes. This segment of the session should take around 30 minutes, including time for set-up and instruction.
In the final segment, after your VR experience, your stance will be retested. You will then complete two more surveys. Again, all data collected will be investigated to see if they are useful as predictors of sickness or to evaluate the low-end VR system. You will be required to stay for at least 30 minutes before leaving the research site. This is to insure that any effects you might experience will have dissipated. In addition, your stance will be retested a final time before you leave. If necessary, you may be asked or may request to stay longer than 30 minutes.
It is important to remember that your name will not be published or released and that any data reported will not be traceable to you. All responses will remain anonymous.
Although it is expected that some users might experience some degree of discomfort, please understand that you may stop playing in the VR at any time. Simply tell me that you would like to stop and you will be immediately let out of the VR without penalty. Furthermore, if at any time during the session, you would like to go to the Student Health Center, I will escort you there.
You will receive course credit for your participation in the experiment.
Do you have any questions?
I, ________________________________________________, having full capacity to consent, do hereby volunteer to participate in research entitled Toward a Theory for the Prediction of Simulator Sickness under supervision of Dr. Richard Gilson - UCF Human Factors Psychology Program Director - and approved by the University of Central Florida Department of Psychology Human Research Participants Committee (Proposal No. 95-032). By signing this consent form, I certify/agree to the following:
· The implications of my voluntary participation; the nature, duration, and purpose of the research; and the method and means by which it is to be conducted - as well as possible risks due to participation - were described in the Research Pre-Briefing, which I read while it was read aloud to me.
· I have been given the opportunity to ask questions concerning this research and all questions have been answered to my full and complete satisfaction. Should any further questions arise, I will be able to contact Gina Kolasinski, UCF Human Factors Psychology Doctoral Student, at 657-xxxx or Dr. Richard Gilson at 823-xxxx.
· I understand that I may experience some discomfort during this experiment and that I may, at any time during this research, revoke my consent and withdraw from the experiment without prejudice. I will be credited for the portion of the experiment completed to that point in half-hour increments, rounded up to the nearest half-hour.
· I certify that I have a non-self-operated form of transportation away from the experimental site and will not be walking off-campus, driving, or riding a bike, skateboard, or rollerblades away from the session.
· I understand that I will be given a carbon copy of this Research Participant Consent Form.
_____________________________________ __________________
(Signature) (Date)
1. Have participant turn on HMD.
2. Load game.
3. Go through game introduction until music stops. Make sure participant is seeing an image and hearing sound.
4. Read the following instructions:
This is a lot of information. Please just try to get the overall idea right now.
The game you will be playing today is called Ascent. You will start the game on a ledge overlooking a canyon with rock walls on both sides and hot lava flowing on the ground below. A path of stones will be suspended in the air in front of you. Your task is to jump from stone to stone and ascend to the final stone. Sometimes there will be ledges on the canyon walls which you may also jump to. When you have reached the final stone, you will automatically proceed to the next level where you will begin on a new ledge and repeat the task again.
While jumping from stone to stone, you must be careful not to miss any stones or you will fall into the hot lava. You must also be careful to avoid Tikis [show them an example of a Tiki]. Tikis will growl at you and, if you cross their path, they will push you off the stone or ledge. If, at any time, you should fall into the lava, you will automatically start again at the beginning of the level you were in.
Since this game has what is referred to as "head tracking", you must move your head to look around the virtual world. There will be cross-hairs in the center of your field-of-view. To jump from stone to stone, you must look around with your head to aim the cross-hairs where you want to go. When a stone or ledge is within your jumping range, it will become outlined in green. You will then press the left mouse button to jump.
Some stones and ledges are red. This means that they will disappear. You can still jump to them but you will need to get off fairly quickly.
Remember that your goal is to ascend to the final stone. This special stone is solid black and will not become outlined in green even when it is within your jumping range.
You will be asked to play this game for 20 minutes. Remember, however, that you may stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable. Try to do your best and reach the highest level you can since the final level you reach will be recorded. Do you understand what you need to do? I will tell you when to begin.
5. Ask participant to close eyes and start game. Ask if participant is hearing sound.
6. Switch to stereo mode (F6).
7. Tell participant to open eyes, check HMD setting, and note setting on form.
8. Tell participant to take a moment to look around at their surroundings in the virtual world and then begin playing.
9. Start timer and shut off light.
10. Keep participant playing. If they are having trouble, give directions as needed.
11. At 5 minutes, remind participant to move head if they are not doing so.
12. At 10 minutes, ask how participant is feeling.
13. At the end of 20 minutes (or if participant asks to quit sooner), hit X and have participant turn off then remove HMD.
Participant Notes
Height: _____ inches IPD: _____ inches
Time in VE: _____ minutes Final level reached in Ascent: __________
HMD setting: _____
Comments
On HMD:
On Ascent:
@ 5 minutes:
Sickness-related:
@ 10 minutes:
Other (e.g., unusual room conditions, participant unable to reach floor while seated):
Directions: Express your opinion of this helmet ensemble along the seven point scale for each pair of words listed. Consider the midpoint of this scale as neutral or no opinion. Use the modifiers extremely, moderately, or slightly to best describe your opinion of the word chosen. Please circle your response.
Extremely Moderately Slightly Neutral Slightly Moderately Extremely
Valuable 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Worthless
Light 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Heavy
Well Fit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Tight
Balanced 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Unbalanced
Cool 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hot
Comfortable 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Uncomfortable
Stable 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wobbly
Compact 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bulky
1. Were you wearing glasses during the experiment?
Yes No
(1) (0)
2. Overall, how much pressure did you feel ON YOUR HEAD from the helmet?
None at all Some Extreme
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Look at the accompanying diagram and rate the pressure at
each labeled location according the numerical scale above.
Location Rating
A _____
B _____
C _____
D _____
E _____
3. Overall, how much pressure did you feel ON YOUR EARS AND NOSE from
the helmet?
None at all Some Extreme
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Look at the accompanying diagram and rate the pressure at
each labeled location according the numerical scale above.
Location Rating
F _____
G _____
H _____
I _____
J _____
4. Overall, how much pressure did you feel ON YOUR NECK from the helmet?
None at all Some Extreme
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Look at the accompanying diagram and rate the pressure at
each labeled location according the numerical scale above.
Location Rating
K _____
L _____
M _____
N _____
5. Do you feel any MUSCLE STRAIN from the shoulders up that you
think is due to wearing the helmet?
None at all Some Extreme
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Look at the accompanying diagram and rate the muscle strain at
each labeled location according the numerical scale above.
Location Rating
K _____
L _____
M _____
N _____
O _____
P _____
6. Do you feel any PAIN from the shoulders up that you think is due to wearing the helmet?
None at all Some Extreme
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Look at the accompanying diagram and rate the pressure at
each labeled location according the numerical scale above.
Location Rating
K _____
L _____
M _____
N _____
O _____
P _____
7a. Overall, how much heat did you feel from the helmet?
None at all Some Extreme
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Look at the accompanying diagram and rate the heat at
each labeled location according the numerical scale above.
Location Rating
A _____
B _____
C _____
D _____
E _____
G _____
H _____
7b. For those areas that were hot, did you try to relieve the problem?
Yes No
(1)
(0)
If YES, what did you do?
Did it work?
Yes No
(1) (0)
For each of the following, circle the number which best reflects your answer to the question.
P1. How responsive was the virtual environment to actions that you initiated (or performed)?
Completely Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P2. How easy do you feel it was to use the mouse to move through the virtual environment?
Very Easy Somewhat Easy Not Easy at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P3. Were you able to anticipate what would happen next in response to the actions you performed with the mouse?
Completely Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P4. Were you able to anticipate what would happen next in response to the actions you performed with the HMD (e.g. looking around)?
Completely Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P5. How well could you identify sounds in the virtual environment?
Very Easily Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P6. How well could you localize sounds in the virtual environment?
Very Easily Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P7. How clearly were you able to see objects that appeared close to you?
Very Clearly Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P8. How clearly were you able to see objects that appeared far away?
Very Clearly Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P9. How completely were your senses engaged in this experiment?
Completely Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P10. How comfortable were the earphones on the HMD?
Very Comfortable Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P11. How comfortable was the forehead pad on the HMD?
Very Comfortable Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P12. How comfortable was the rear pad on the HMD?
Very Comfortable Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P13. I had the feeling that I was really moving inside the virtual environment.
Often Sometimes Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P14. The sense of movement I felt in the virtual environment was realistic.
Very Realistic Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P15. How well were you able to view objects from different angles?
Very Easily Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P16. Overall, how quickly did you adjust to interacting in the virtual environment?
Very Quickly Somewhat Quickly Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P17. How proficient in moving and interacting with the virtual environment did you feel at the end of your experience?
Very Proficient Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P18. How well could you concentrate on the assigned tasks or required activities rather than on the mechanisms used to perform those tasks or activities?
Completely Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P19. Was the information provided through different senses in the virtual environment (e.g. vision, hearing, head tracking) consistent?
Completely Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P20. How easy was it to put the HMD on?
Very Easy Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P21. How easy was it to take the HMD off?
Very Easy Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
For each of the following, please note that space has been provided for comments. Circle the number which best reflects your answer to the question and provide comments if you have any. Please try to print legibly.
P22. Did the HMD allow you to visually survey or search as much of the environment as you wanted (i.e. without turning the chair)?
Completely Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Comments:
P23. How much delay did you experience between your actions with the mouse and the expected outcomes?
No Delay Some Delay Extreme Delay
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Comments:
P24. How much delay did you experience between your actions with the HMD and expected outcomes?
No Delay Some Delay Extreme Delay
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Comments:
P25a. When you turned your head, the visual scene changed so that you could view different areas in the virtual environment. How well did the change in the area you were viewing appear to match the amount you moved your head (i.e. was the head tracking accurate)?
Completely Somewhat Not at All
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Comments:
P25b. If the visual scene didn't change accurately with head movement, did it appear to change too much or too little as you moved your head? (Circle one)
Too Much Too Little
(1) (0)
P26. How much did the visual display quality interfere or distract you from performing assigned tasks or required activities?
Not at All Somewhat Very Much
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Comments:
P27. How much did the mouse interfere with the performance of assigned tasks or with other activities?
Not at All Somewhat Very Much
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Comments:
P28. Did the power supply cord on the HMD ever get in the way?
Yes No
(1) (0)
Comments:
P29. Did the HMD remain secure on your head throughout the experiment?
Yes No
(1) (0)
Comments:
By signing below, I certify that I consider myself to be in good enough condition to leave the experimental site. Because after-effects of VR exposure are possible even up to as much as 24 hours after exposure, I am advised to avoid, for a reasonable period time following this session, any and all activities, including operation of a motorized or non-motorized vehicle, which may result in injury either to myself or to others should aftereffects occur to me during my engagement in such activities. If I experience any after-effects. I am advised to contact Gina Kolasinski at 657-xxxx. I have certified in the Research Participant Consent Form that I have a non-self-operated form of transportation away from the experimental site and will not be walking off-campus, driving, or riding a bike, skateboard, or rollerblades away from the session. If I require medical assistance at some later point after this experimental session, I am advised to proceed to the UCF Student Health Center, which has been notified that this experiment is being conducted. I understand that I will receive a follow-up call this evening on my condition as a result of this experiment. I understand that I will be given a copy of this Debrief Agreement.
_____________________________________ __________________
(Signature) (Date)
Thank you very much for participating in my Doctoral research. I hope your experience with Virtual Reality has been an enjoyable one! If you would like information on the results of this research, please don't hesitate to call me at 657-xxxx after February 1996.
Sincerely,
Eugenia M. Kolasinski
Good time to call: __________
Date & time of session: _______________ _______________
Date & time of call: _______________ _______________
Elapsed time: _____ hours _____ days
Ask participants the following questions:
1. How are you feeling this evening?
2. Did you experience any aftereffects which you think were due to your experience in the Virtual Environment? Yes No
3. Is there anything else you would like to add? Yes No
4. Thank you for answering these questions. If you experience any effects in the near future which you think may be related to your VR experience, please call me at 657-xxxx.!