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The Student Mapping Study

First of all, thank you for your interest in participating in our study. The goal of this study is to gain a detailed insight in your day, how you feel, what you experience, what you do, how active you are, etc. We collect this type of data in a large sample of students of three universities (Maastricht, Amsterdam, and Leiden), for a period of four weeks. We aim to gain insight how the different measured variables are related within a person and may change over time. 

You can participate if …

  • you are a student of Maastricht University, Leiden University, or University of Amsterdam.
  • you are at least 18 years old.
  • you have a smartphone (Android or Apple (at least version 13 of iOS)) that you use daily.
  • you have a sufficient understanding of English. 

Why participate?

  • Contribute to science, to the project New Science of Mental Disorders.
  • Gain a detailed insight in your daily life.
  • Earn either 2 credits + up to €60 (gift voucher) or earn up to €75 (gift voucher).

What does participation entail?

In this study, you will answer brief surveys about your daily life nine times per day with your smartphone for a period of four weeks. It will take approximately 3-5 minutes to answer each survey, and it is important that you try to complete as many surveys as possible. You can complete the study remotely; you do not need to come to the university. You will receive all instruction materials digitally.

Steps of participation

  1. If you agree to take part in the study, you will first be instructed to download the Ethica app on your phone, which is the app that is used to administer the surveys.
  2. After you have downloaded Ethica, you will be asked to fill out an online screening questionnaire via the Ethica app.
  3. The next day, you will be asked to fill out a baseline questionnaire via the Ethica app. 
  4. Five days after registering, you will do a practice day on which you will receive nine prompts to answer brief surveys. 
  5. After the practice day, a research-assistant will call you to check if everything is clear and if you are ready to start the study.
  6. Five days after the practice day, the actual study starts. For a period of 4 weeks, you will receive prompts to answer brief surveys 9 times a day.  

More information? 

Do you want to participate?

Scan the QR code with your phone!

qr code student mapping study.png

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do I need to give my personal contact information?
Before starting the study, a research assistant will contact you via phone to give you further information, and will afterwards send you e-mails to check whether everything is clear. Therefore, it is necessary for us to have this personal information

What does the practice day look like?
The practice day consists of a one-day training on how to download, set-up and use the Ethica app. You will receive 9 prompts to answer surveys. After the practice day, a research assistant will call you to check if you might have any questions and are ready to start the actual study. 

What happens if I do not fill in the baseline assessment?
If you do not fill in the baseline assessment, the protocol will not start and therefore you will not be able to start the actual study. 

What happens if I do not fill out a survey?
We are aware that it is not always possible to fill out every survey. However, it is very important for the success of this study that you try to fill out as many surveys as possible. Also, note that the money compensation that you will receive at the end of the study will depend on the number of surveys filled out during the day.

Do I need to fill out the survey at the moment on which I receive the prompt?
You have 20 minutes to complete the survey after you received the prompt. 

I do not want to take part to the study anymore, what should I do?
If you would like to stop participating, you are of course free to do so, and you can notify us via e-mail about your decision. 

How will the amount of money be calculated that I will receive at the end of the study?
The compensation for participating in this study consists of up to 2 research credits and up to €60 (gift voucher) OR up to €75 (gift voucher). The amount of money and credits depends on how many surveys you will fill out during the 4-week period. 

How do I use the voucher?
Once you completed the study, you will receive an e-mail containing all information about your voucher, which is a gift code that you can use online (e.g., Amazon, Bol).  

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