Application to Elon College Committee on Human ...



Elon University

Application to The Committee on Human Participants in Research (CHPR)

Cover Page

Title of the Study/Project: Downloading songs online without permission of recording companies

Name of Principal Investigator: Byung S. Lee Phone: 278-5675

Check Status of Principal Investigator: ___x_ Faculty ____ Student ____ Staff ____ Other

Address where correspondence is to be sent: CB 2850

_____________________________________________________________________________

If the Principal Investigator is a student, provide the following information:

Social Security #: _______________________ Dept: ________________________

Name & Phone # of Research Advisor: ________________________________________

Name(s) and phone number(s) of other investigator(s)

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Estimated beginning date of the study: __March 13, 2002_____________________________

Estimated completion date of the study: ____March 12, 2004

Research being conducted for: ____ thesis ____ professional paper

__x_ research project ____ independent study

____ class project ____ other

If this research is or may be supported by a grant or outside sponsor, list name(s) of sponsor(s):

_____________________________________________________________________________

Type of review expected: ______ Exempted (Provide the original and 2 copy)

__x___ Expedited (Provide the original and 3 copies)

______ Full (Provide the original and 6 copies)

Date Application Received by CHPR: _______ _______________________

• Body of proposal

•

A) Statement of the research problem: The music industry was resistant to new digital technology. Entrepreneurs tried to start legal music services, but they could not get the music industry to agree to reasonable terms. The labels also cracked down on illegal file sharing services, like Napster and Aimster. But the growing needs of fans for MP3 music were satisfied by other illegal file swapping services, such as Kazaa, WinMX and Grokster. Recording labels, to slow down online music swapping, tried to bring swapping services to court, and recently added consumers to their “criminal list” as shown in the Verizon case. On the other hand, the major labels launched their own downloading sites, such as MusicNet, pressplay, and Rhapsody, but without much success. Recently America Online introduced MusicNet on AOL, featuring about 250,000 songs from each of the five major labels and several indies. Whether legal fee-based swapping services will succeed and eventually replace the record industry’s traditional CD sales would depend on many factors: what consumers think about downloading songs online without permission of the record industry; their attitude or loyalties toward the record industry, bands and musicians; why they download songs in the first place and what kind of reservations they have when downloading songs; and what kind of music industry they expect in the future. Respondents’ opinions toward the factors above will be surveyed through this research.

B) Description of the study population, sampling methodology, and specific criteria for selection of the participants: This research uses Q-methodology in which a random sample of questions are emphasized rather than a random sample of respondents. Hundreds of statements were collected from literature review, online forum and interviews, and only 40 statements were selected as a sample out of this population of statements. A convenient sample of around 100 adults and college students will be asked to sort these 40 statements.

C) Detailed description of the research design: Research subjects will sort 40 statements on a 9-point most-agree/most-disagree scale (See Figure 1).

1) It’s ok to download songs from the Internet, even if I wouldn’t buy them on CDs someday.

2) The recording industry has a long history of cheating artists out of making billions of dollars.

3) People get mp3 songs off the Internet because stores do not sell the CDs with the songs they want.

4) People won’t pay for something they can get for free.

5) I can’t say whether getting music from a website is right or wrong.

6) The music industry needs to work with us and not against us, or they will probably end up losing out on more than just money.

7) It is much easier to make a CD at your house quickly than go to a store and buy it.

8) People believe it’s stealing, but they will break the law and still do it.

9) Music is an art, not a commodity.

10) If music companies don’t charge so much, people wouldn’t have to download music.

11) I like the variety of music I can get off the Internet.

12) There are so many people downloading music, they can’t possibly prosecute everyone.

13) As long as we are not distributing songs for profit, there is no problem.

14) The revenue loss of artists would be compensated by increases in popularity and revenues from concerts and merchandise sales.

15) I would rather make my own mix CD than buy 10 CDs for 10 different songs.

16) No matter how they try to stop consumers from downloading a song, there will always be a way to find it somewhere.36) The record companies will find new ways to distribute the music, and make more money

17) Copyright is dead on the Internet.

18) Musicians have enough money. Why do they need more?

19) I don’t really have the extra money to keep buying CDs of artists I like to listen to.

20) Suing or shaming their customers will enrage them.

21) Users need to exercise moral behavior by not downloading copyrighted songs on the Internet.

22) The recording industry loses revenues when a person downloads a song instead of buying a CD.

23) PC and stereo makers have to make their products so that file swapping could be prevented.

24) If there were a legitimate alternative, people would go for that.

25) It’s like stealing someone’s artwork.

26) Record companies won’t be able to scout and sign new talent if their revenues fall.

27) The music industry has to manipulate data on a CD such that consumers can’t rip it.

28) People don’t want to get in trouble for downloading songs.

29) I don’t think that data, including music, yearns to be free on the Internet.

30) The music industry’s suing or shaming customers is a good idea.

31) The music industry has to adopt watermarking that allows it to hunt down and punish whoever uploads music for others.

32) The music industry should offer music by subscription in the same way cable operators deliver movie channels.

33) Taking music off the Internet is just like bootlegging an album.

34) We can’t justify penalizing artists and composers simply because we despise the record companies.

35) Strict penalties for illegal downloading must be implemented and enforced by the authorities.

37) E-mail is OK with me even though I don't get the instant reply I do with a phone call. I still feel connected to people. 20) People e-mail me with stupid stuff. It can be a waste of my time.

37) It is a violation of copyright laws due to the unauthorized distribution.

38) True fans are going to buy the CD to support the band.

39) Congress has to pass bills that would strengthen recording companies’ position.

40) Recording companies should allow consumers to buy each song downloaded without having to buy a whole CD.

Figure 1. Q-sort distribution

-4 |-3 |-2 |-1 |0 |1 |2 |3 |4 |Score | |3 |4 |5 |5 |6 |5 |5 |4 |3 |Frequency | |

Respondents’ sorting will be intercorrelated, and the appropriate number of factors will be extracted.

Also they will be asked to answer questions, such as:

• How long did this survey take • Name

• Gender • Age • Occupation • E-mail address • Telephone number

• Internet connection at home, at work or school • Do you know how to download songs and burn CDs? • Do you want to be informed of this survey’s findings

D) Your assessment of the risk and risk management (how risk is to be minimized)

There should be no risks involved in the above procedures, except perhaps for the slight tension and confusion that might be experienced while dealing with many statements. Hopefully any discomforts will be offset by the pleasure of enhancing their own appreciation of the complexities of this issue of downloading songs online, and by the knowledge that it will help communication scholars deepen their understanding of this issue. There is no monetary compensation for their participation.

E) Potential benefits to human participants (even if there is/are none)

Downloading songs has been discussed for many years. The findings of this research will be beneficial to the music industry in its policy decision. Students and adults would benefit from this study intellectually since the United States will cope with the digital copyright issue for many years to come.

F) Informed consent procedure

i)how investigator intends to obtain informed consent: All respondents will be asked to read the consent form on paper, in email, or on the web and check off the line that: Yes ( ) I have read the information provided above. I voluntarily agree to participate in this study.

ii) copy of consent form if written: attached at the end.

G) Describe procedures for insuring the confidentiality of data and anonymity of participants

H) Length of time that records will be kept, where kept, by whom the records will be kept, and time and methods of destroying the data (can be included in confidentiality section)

I) Feedback sheet or explanation of procedures for participant feedback (how will you provide individual and/or study results back to the subjects)

Responses to GHI): Their names, sorting of the provided statements reflecting their opinions on this issue, and demographic data would be collected. The name is needed only to ask questions when the participants did not follow the instructions correctly and to send them a copy of the completed study later. The names of subjects will be kept in aggregate form and, as soon as the study is completed, the file containing the names will be deleted. That way, if the date files are ever examined (e.g., by subpoena), no names will appear on them. The other data without individuals’ name will be kept as a computer file for three years.

J) Other documentation that the researcher feels would help the Committee better evaluate the proposal. none.

Statement of compliance. The following statement of compliance must appear on all proposals submitted for review:

To the best of my knowledge, the plan of conduct for this research conforms with the policies and procedures for the use of human participants at Elon University.

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March 11, 2003

Signature of the Primary Researcher Date

Elon University

Consent to Participate in a Research Study

Adult Subjects

Downloading songs online without permission of recording companies

IRB Study #

Consent Form Version Date: March 11, 2003

You are invited to participate as a respondent in a research on “Downloading songs online without permission of recording companies.” This research will try to find the best solution to this ongoing issue, so that consumers understand the issue correctly and recording companies would better respond to consumers’ desire.

This paper will be based on a survey of about 100 students and adults from different backgrounds. You are invited to participate in this study, which is being undertaken by Dr. Byung Lee at Elon University. You would be asked to sort a number of statements that are related to downloading online songs and to answer some demographic questions. You will be presented with a selection of statements and asked to present your view by ranking the statements from agree to disagree. The rankings will then be statistically analyzed and used in research papers.

There should be no risks involved in the above procedures, except perhaps for the slight tension and confusion that might be experienced while dealing with many statements. Hopefully any discomforts will be offset by the pleasure of enhancing your own appreciation of the complexities of this issue, “downloading online songs,” and by the knowledge that it will help the music industry deepen its understanding of this issue. There is no monetary or other compensation for your participation.

This proposed study has been reviewed and approved by the Committee on Human Participants in Research of Elon University. We need volunteers to take part in the study and would like you to consider participating. This is entirely voluntary and you will not be penalized in any way for not volunteering. Your involvement would require around 30 minutes, but could last somewhat longer or shorter depending on your knowledge and interest in this subject; you may, of course, withdraw from participation at any time.

You have a right to full and complete information regarding this project. Information on University policy and procedures for research involving humans can be obtained from Chair of the Committee on Human Participants in Research of Elon University, Dr. Barry Beedle, Campus Box 2525, Elon University, Elon, North Carolina 27244. His phone number is 336-278-5870.

The information gathered concerning you will be entirely confidential: only the researcher will know your identity. If you have questions regarding any aspect of this project, please feel free to ask them of Dr. Byung Lee. His telephone number and email address are written below. To protect confidentiality, your name and the other data will be separated into different computer files. As soon as we completed the study, the name list will be destroyed along with your consent form.

Yours sincerely,

Byung Lee, 336-278-5675, byunglee@elon.edu

Subject's Agreement

Yes ( ) I have read the information provided above. I voluntarily agree to participate in this study.

________

Date

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