Guidelines for getting your study approved by the Committee On the use ofHumans as Experimental Subjects (COUHES)Each research project at MIT has to be approved by the Committee On the use ofHumans as Experimental Subjects (COUHES). The importance of such a committee inall research institutes emerged as a reaction to experiments that placed human subjects atphysical and mental risks. Guarding the rights of experimental subjects is now animportant part of the scientific process. MIT has a review procedure that is vastlysuperior to any other university that we are aware of, and we consider this to be an MITtreasure. This is a public good that we all need to work to keep COUHES at their level ofperformance – so please take your job seriously. Follow the guidelines below carefully,and provide sufficient detail to COUHES, so that your protocol could be approved withthe least possible hassle.If you want to use this version of the 1”5.301 COUHES quick form” you can conduct oneof the following types of studies (“Paper and pencil” based studies, “Simple marketexperiments,” or “games”). If you want something different you might have to submita full proposal. Below is information about these three generic types of studies. Onceyour COUHES application is ready (but not after the deadline), submit the cover letterand the forms of your questionnaires to your TA, who will get it to the COUHES office.Note that you cannot start collecting data until your protocol is approved by COUHES.Note: if you intent to post any recruitment flyers around campus to let people knowabout your study, you will have to submit these as well together with your application.“Paper and pencil” based studies: General information.Such studies are conducted by passing along questionnaires and asking people to returnthem to a collection box. In your cover letter to COUHES describe the way you willdistribute and collect the questionnaires in sufficient detail, and how anonymity will bemaintained.When conducting a “paper and pencil” based studies never ask for the participants’names or any other identifying information (email). You can ask for limiteddemographic information if this is needed for your research (limit this information to thenecessary information).At the top of the questionnaire please include the following statement:“Thank you for participating in this study. Your participation is voluntary, you maydecline to answer any or all questions, and at any point you can decline furtherparticipation without adverse consequences. You will not be asked for your name or forother identifying information to assure the confidentiality and anonymity of thisinformation.“Paper and pencil” based studies: Cover letter.Name of the study: Effect of weather on happiness and hope.Type of study: “Paper and pencil”Purpose of the study: To understand the effect of weather on happiness and hope.The general procedure: In this study we will distribute questionnaires askingrespondents to indicate how happy and hopeful they are in general.Distribution and collection: The forms will be distributed at dorms and in the infinitecorridor. Once the respondents return the questionnaire, he or she will be asked todeposit it into a box. The box will be clearly closed and taped to make it clear that thedata will not be examined for each person.Other confidentiality measures: In order to increase confidentiality, the data will beexamined, entered and analyzed only after all the data has been collected in the box –reducing the possibility of identifying and individual person. Once the data has beenentered the original forms will be given to the TA of 15.301.“Paper and pencil” based studies: The questionnaire.Happiness“Thank you for participating in this study. Your participation is voluntary, you maydecline to answer any or all questions, and at any point you can decline furtherparticipation without adverse consequences. You will not be asked for your name or forother identifying information to assure the confidentiality and anonymity of thisinformation.On the following scale, where 1 indicated “not at all” and 10 indicates “very much,” howhappy would you say you are right now? Please circle the corresponding number________________________________________________________________________||||||||||12345678910Not atallVerymuchOn the following scale, where 1 indicated “not at all” and 10 indicates “very much,” howhopeful would you say you are right now? Please circle the corresponding number________________________________________________________________________||||||||||12345678910Not atallVerymuchOn the following scale, where 1 indicated “not at all” and 10 indicates “very much,” howhappy would you say you are in general? Please circle the corresponding number________________________________________________________________________||||||||||12345678910Not atallVerymuchOn the following scale, where 1 indicated “not at all” and 10 indicates “very much,” howhopeful would you say you are in general? Please circle the corresponding number________________________________________________________________________||||||||||12345678910Not atallVerymuchPlease write down the date and timeToday is (circle one): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.The date is: ______________ Time of day is: ____________________Thank you very much for your participation. Please fold this form and place it into theclosed box.“Simple market experiments”: General information.These studies are conducted much like market transactions where you offer participantsto purchase something for a known price, or make choices among a few different options.In these experiments you will change (manipulate) the prices between respondents andlook at the propensity to purchase. With such protocols you will not collect any personalinformation and you can only use the information that you observe (how long it took thepeople to decide, were they in groups or by themselves etc.). Because you onlyobserving behavior there is no need for an explicit consent of the participants.“Simple market experiments” based studies: Cover letter.Name of the study: Effect of price decrease to 0 on purchase.Type of study: “Simple market experiments”Purpose of the study: To test the effects of 0-prices, in order to understand if the there isa discontinuity around the price of 0.The general