Brooke LeBlanc
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
UROP Fellowship: Community College Summer Fellowship Program
Northwestern Michgan College
Research Mentor(s): Jane Huggins, PhD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Presentation Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 | Session 3 | Presenter: 5
Authors: Brooke LeBlanc, Jane E. Huggins
Abstract
This project translated the text-based assent document for the University of Michigan Direct Brain Interface lab (UMDBI) into a graphical style depiction to improve understanding for younger participants in the brain-computer interface (BCI) research. A BCI research study can be a difficult thing for anybody to understand, regardless of age. Although we attempt to write documents in simple, age-appropriate language, large amounts of text can be difficult to understand and thus can be a barrier to participation. All the written text and talk about risks and benefits from the study can even scare potential participants away. The federally required elements of an assent form were reviewed to create design criteria for the graphical assent form. Then I reviewed the applicable guidelines of necessary, and typically included information, and rechecked the original assent document to identify that each of those elements was satisfied. Next, we broke down each of the identified federal requirements in the text-based assent form and made a graphical depiction of each component. To date, we have a completed written compilation of sketch ideas for each broken down component on the original assent form, and an illustrated outline of each panel component as well. We expect that this graphical assent form will make comprehension of the procedures, risks, and benefits easier, thus recruiting more participants for the BCI research study by expanding their knowledge of what they will be involved in. In the future, one complication that may arise is that if the graphical assent form is not done properly, it may have the opposite effect we hope for, and instead scare potential participants away. Another concern is that it may take more time to fully go through the graphical assent form due to increased content with the graphical style format. Our plan is to get as much feedback as we can from the research advisory council, and deal with the time concern by sending out the forms to participants farther in advance to allow more time to look it over and comprehend it.
Google Slide Presentation
Presentation Script
Research Disciplines
Biomedical Sciences
