Study Participation Consent

Participation in HCIS studies is strictly voluntary. This means:

• You can decide freely whether to take part
• You may withdraw at any time, without giving reasons
• Withdrawing will not result in any disadvantage for you

Wherever possible, data already collected up to the point of withdrawal can be deleted, unless it has been anonymized or is required to preserve the integrity of the study.

Before you consent, you will be informed about:

• The purpose and goals of the study
• What tasks or interactions are expected
• What types of data will be collected (e.g., questionnaires, sensor readings)
• How long the study will last and whether follow-up contacts are planned
• Known risks, discomforts, or limitations

You will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive clarifications.

Your data will be used exclusively for research and teaching purposes related to the study’s objectives. In particular:

• Data is processed in line with the applicable legal basis (e.g., consent, legitimate interest)
• Personal identifiers are separated from research data wherever possible
• Data is not used for commercial advertising or profiling outside the research context

Details on data storage, retention, and sharing will be explained in the study-specific information sheet.

Confidentiality is a key priority. Measures include:

• Use of participant codes instead of names in datasets
• Limiting access to authorized team members
• Aggregating or anonymizing results in publications so that individuals cannot be identified

If complete anonymity cannot be guaranteed (e.g., in interview quotes), this will be clearly stated in the consent materials.

If you have questions before, during, or after a study, you can contact the responsible researcher or the HCIS lab using the information provided in the study documentation.
For data protection or ethical concerns, you may also contact the relevant university offices as described in the general legal and privacy notices.