Informed Consent
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU PROCEED.
You are being asked to take part in an undergraduate research study. This study is called "Trabaho Lang, Walang Personalan”: A Phenomenological Study on the Negotiation of Cognitive Dissonance of Filipino Paid Trolls. It is being conducted by Alviela Jireh T. Dayrit and Timothy Jeunesse R. Quiambao, 4th year BA Applied Psychology students at the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga (UP Clark).
What this study is about
The study is being conducted to explore the lived-experiences of Filipino individuals who have worked as paid trolls for political clients in digital campaigns (regardless of their political party and their campaign/employment date to any particular Philippine administration) and how they negotiate the cognitive dissonance that arises from such work. Approximately 10-15 Filipinos who are at least 25 years of age, worked as paid political trolls with at least one (1) month of experience, and experienced discomfort or conflicting thoughts on their job, e.g. when one’s beliefs and actions do not match up, will participate in the study. The research will employ a phenomenological design.
What you will be asked to do
If you decide to be in this study, you will be asked to do the following:
- Answer a questionnaire incorporated in one online survey form which will take approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
- Participate in a audio-recorded interview with one or both of the researchers lasting between 45 minutes and 1 hour and 30 minutes in length.
- Possibly participate in follow up interviews.
- Review and provide feedback on the transcription of interviews and researchers' interpretation of their responses.
Risks and Benefits
Risks for participating in this study are minimal. However, the researchers will make every effort to minimize or manage the potential risks.
- Some questions may be more detailed and emotionally oriented than others, such as what you have gone through. If, at any time, you do not like one of the questions, just let the researchers know, and we will skip over that.
- You will be allowed to read through the data and analyses and provide feedback on the researchers' interpretations of your responses as a method for checking for inconsistencies, challenging the researchers' assumptions, and providing the opportunity to re-analyze their data.
- Any personal information shared will remain confidential, protected at all costs, and not be associated with your name. They will also be deleted immediately by the researchers after the completion of the study.
There may be no direct benefit to you as a participant in this study, aside from having a possible avenue for you to address your experience of cognitive dissonance and/or academically represent your experiences with regards to cognitive dissonance and shed light on the plight, wellbeing, and working circumstances of Filipino paid trolls. You will not be paid for the study, and the only cost to you is the cost of your time for participating.
However, the information you provide will be greatly beneficial to any person who run the risk of getting hired into digital undercover campaigns for a political client without having a full understanding of the duties listed in the job description and the policies of the company. The results of the study are also deemed to be beneficial to the field of social psychology, political psychology, and Filipino psychology (Sikolohiyang Pilipino). By taking part in this study, your responses could contribute to future endeavors that could spark progress not only on the topic of interest but within various contexts.