Privacy And Trust Attitudes In The Intent To Volunteer For Data-Tracking Research

Introduction. The analysis of detailed interaction records is fundamental to development of user-centred systems. Researchers seeking such data must recruit volunteers willing to allow tracking of their interactions. This study examines privacy and trust attitudes in the intent to volunteer for research requiring installation of tracking software.Method. A quasi-experimental survey was used to determine how privacy and trust attitudes and the intent to volunteer differ depending on whether tracking software is installed on one's own computer or a university lab computer.Analysis. Data from 110 valid responses were analysed using SPSS. Responses were compared between three levels of intent to volunteer (open, closed, unsure) and installation requirements.Results. Comparing those who decided on installation in the lab to those who decided on installation on their own computers, the acceptability of data tracking differed significantly and differences in the intent to volunteer approached significance. Attitudes on technology, information privacy, trust and research participation differed only with the intent to volunteer.Conclusion. Few people are likely to be open to volunteering when required to install data-tracking software on their own computers. Addressing privacy concerns and conditions of trust requires understanding the dependencies between these factors through further research with broader populations.