For this study, it's best to have a large display, therefore please do not use your phone, but use your computer instead. Please do not use Firefox to complete this study. If you are currently in Firefox, copy the link, open a different web-browser (we recommend Google Chrome), and paste the link in the address field of the other web browser.
This research is about how people think about the issue of microplastics accumulation. We will ask you to draw a model that reflects how you think about microplastics accumulation. We will first explain how you can use this tool to draw such a model. Please click ‘start’ when you are ready to begin the study.
Who is organising this study? This study is part of a European Horizon 2020 funded project called ‘LimnoPlast: Microplastics In Europe’s Freshwater Ecosystems: From Sources to Solutions’.
What will I do if I choose to be in this study? This study consists of two parts, a drawing exercise and a survey. Completing both parts should only take about 20-30 minutes. Please read and answer all questions carefully. It is important to us that you conduct the entire study in one session (instead of taking breaks and continuing later). Please focus on the study while going through the instructions and do not attend to any other tasks. This will greatly ease the task we ask you to complete. If you get stuck, please refer to the mental models cheat sheet via this link (copy & paste into a new tab): shorturl.at/iruzP __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE NOTE: You can skip the video at the beginning of the modeling task, if you feel ready to begin. In addition, clicking on the 'help' button during the task will initiate audio help. If you want to avoid using audio, please refer to the cheat sheet, as above. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
While the evidence is still being collected on microplastic accumulation causes, pathways, consequences etc., in this research we focus on your views. There are no right or wrong answers; we simply want to know your opinion. On the following pages, you will be presented with more information about how the obtained data will be used.
What happens to the information I provide? All data and information collected in this research will be treated as strictly confidential and will only be analysed by the research team. We will not ask you to provide your name, and the survey data will be stored securely. Once the data has been analysed, a report of the findings may be submitted for publication. Only broad trends will be reported and it will not be possible to identify any individuals. A summary of the results will be available from the researcher upon request. Only fully anonymised data that cannot be used to identify any individuals may be shared with other researchers for scientific purposes. Participation is completely voluntary. You can end your participation without any penalty at any time by closing the browser window. The study was registered and adheres to the rules of the University of Bergen’s System for Risk and Compliance (registration no. R2296)
Contact for further information: For further information or queries about this study, please contact Karlijn van den Broek (k.l.vandenbroek@uu.nl).
Please read the statements below and tick the box at the bottom of the page to indicate that you consent to take part.
- I have received adequate information about the survey and about my ethical rights as a participant.
- I fully understand that my participation is voluntary, that the information I provide is confidential, and that I can withdraw at any point before submission of the drawing exercise and survey. Due to the anonymous nature of this research, it is not possible to withdraw data once it has been submitted.
If, after reading this information, you decide to take part in the research, we kindly ask you to click the ‘accept‘ button in order to continue with the study.
This was the first part of the research. Please click on the link below now to complete a short survey!
Thank you for your interest in this study. You have clicked 'decline' in response to the information on the consent form page. Because you did not provide your consent to participate in the study, this is the end of the study. If you did not intend to decline to participate, please refresh your browser to restart the study.
