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For research purposes, we will be recording the actions you take within this app – that is, we will record what buttons you click, when you click them, and what text you enter in response to the app’s exercises. We will be using these data to improve the app. We will not collect any identifying information like your phone number, name or location.
This app was developed by Dr. Bettina Hoeppner (principal investigator) and her team at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MA, USA, as funded by the American Cancer Society. The goal of this research project is to develop an effective smoking cessation app that uses a positive psychological framework and adheres to United States Clinical Practice Guidelines for Smoking Cessation to support smokers in their quit attempts. This app is the 3rd version of this app. For our conceptual model and prior research findings informing this app, please go here: https://scholar.harvard.edu/bettina.hoeppner/sis.
In addition to making this app available to the public, we also conduct systematic studies. If you want to be part of one of our studies, please consult this website for current participation opportunities: https://scholar.harvard.edu/bettina.hoeppner/join-our-study
Regardless of whether you are part of one of our studies, or just using this app on your own, we will be recording the actions you take within the app. We do this to better understand what features are getting used. We recommend that you use the app for at least 7 weeks, one week prior to your quit day, and 6 weeks thereafter. It is, however, entirely up to you how long you use the app. To end your use, either simply stop using the app, and no more data will be recorded, or uninstall the app.
The data generated by your use of this app are stored on MGH secure servers, and will only be accessed and used by appropriately trained research staff, and, as-needed, by our software development partners, PreviewLabs, to trouble-shoot any technological issues.
The risks of using this app are considered minimal, and include a potential breach of confidentially. We believe this risk to be minimal, because we are collecting data via
technologies that are fully HIPAA compliant, and because our study staff is properly trained about the critical importance of confidentiality and in human research subjects’ protection.
The benefits are that you may quit smoking as you use this app, which would have a substantial positive impact on your health. Your use of the app also generates generalizable knowledge that can guide the development of further treatments to support smoking cessation.
For any questions, please contact our project staff at sis@mgh.harvard.edu. If you would like to speak to someone providing independent ethical oversight of this project, please contact the Partners Human Research Committee at (857) 282-1900, and reference protocol number 2017P000780.