EU Research: Call for Participants
Are you aged 15 to 18? Do you use the internet daily? Come discuss your online experiences with us!
The European Institute for Gender Equality is conducting research on how boys and girls use the internet and digital technologies. The objective is to understand to how young people can get the most of opportunities brought by the internet and digital technologies and best avoid their risks.
We are interested in learning about your experiences using the internet and digital technologies: the positive aspects and the aspects that bother or worry you.
We are looking to talk to boys and girls from 15 to 18 years old about their experiences and behaviours online. Your participation can help us to better understand what is going on!
Why is this research being done?
The research will help filling knowledge gaps regarding opportunities and risks of digital technologies for boys and girls. It will help us improve opportunities for both girls and boys and decrease the risks of using digital technologies.
Who will participate in the focus groups?
There will be 6 participants in each focus group, aged 15-18 years. The focus groups will be same-sex focus groups. This means that there will be either only girls or only boys in one focus group.
It is proposed that the focus group will take place on either Saturday, 17th or Saturday 24th February
What will happen during the research?
There will be a group discussion, which will take approx. 90 minutes. A moderator will ask questions to be discussed within the group in order to hear your views and learn about your experience using digital technologies in your daily life. There are no right or wrong answers.
We will record the sessions and type them up later. The transcripts of the sessions will be anonymised: it means that no one will be able to identify who said what.
What questions will be asked?
The discussion will focus on opportunities brought about by the internet and social media, such as meeting friends and the possible ways of sharing your life experiences.
We will also talk about negative online experiences, such as aggressive or harmful behaviour inappropriate content and hate speech. We want to find out if girls and boys share the same online experiences.
Could there be problems for you if you take part?
We sincerely hope you will enjoy talking with us. Some people may feel a bit uncomfortable talking about certain topics. Please keep in mind you don’t have to answer a question if you don’t want to. You can also end your participation at any point without having to give any reasons.
If you have any questions or suggestions about the project or if you would like to discuss some things in private, you can reach the national researcher Brian O’Neill or Thuy Dinh by brian.oneill@dit.ie or thuy.dinh@dit.ie or by phone (01) 4023 8054.
What will be done with the results of the focus group?
The research will collect opinions and experiences of girls and boys related to the use of new technologies and internet. It will help us understand better the online experiences of young people. It will also help to promote greater opportunities and to mitigate the risks that digital technologies can bring.
Who will know that you have been in the research?
We will not tell anyone else what you have discussed in the focus group unless we believe someone might be hurt. If so, we will first talk to you directly. We will keep tapes and notes in a safe place, and will change all the names in the reports – and the name of the school and community – so that no one knows who said what.
Will you know about the research results?
The European Institute for Gender Equality will publish a report about the results of the project by the end of 2018. The report will be in English. You can tick the box in the consent form if you would like us to notify you about the final publication.
I want to take part, what do I do?
Please contact: Brian O’Neill or Thuy Dinh by brian.oneill@dit.ie or thuy.dinh@dit.ie to confirm your availability for the 24th February.
Travel expense and lunch covered by Webwise. And as it is a Saturday, we will provide you with a thank you gift for taking part!
