Swellmap Tracker

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This extension tracks and logs users access to swell prediction websites.Research Project Title: Data based visual system for action sports film

Researcher: Matthew Everitt, School of Design, Victoria University of Wellington

As part of the completion of my Master of Design, this study is designed to capture and visualise data produced by surfing communities. The aim is to use existing technologies such as the internet and web explorers, with wearable technology to capture data of the ‘surfers’ intent to surf and the action of surfing itself. This research has been approved by Victoria University Human Ethics Committee.

I am inviting surfers 18yrs and over to participate in this research. Participants will be asked to install a Google Chrome Extension on their personal computer. By installing the extension permission will be granted to log the users access to swell websites (www.swellmap.com etc.) and users location at the time of access(Mt Cook, Hataitai etc.) and sent to a secure server. A transcript of the logged data can be sent to the users in request. It is important to know that no other information will be retrieved from your computer other than the swell website information and your location (location accuracy is down to a suburb level).

Participation is voluntary and confidential, you will not be identified personally in any way and all data and records will be destroyed 1 year after the completion of the study (1st of March 2017). All material collected will be kept confidential in a locked file, and will be viewed only by myself and my supervisor Kah Chan. The thesis will be submitted for marking to the School of Design, and subsequently deposited in the University Library. Should any participant wish to withdraw from the project, they may do so before 19th of December 2015, and the data collected up to that point will be destroyed.

By downloading this extension you accept to being part of this study. You accept that your geolocation and history of swell site visits will be stored on a secure server for the duration of this study (ending March 2016). You agree that you are 18yrs or over.

If you have any questions or would like to receive further information about the project, please contact me at [email protected], or you may contact my supervisor Kah Chan at [email protected] or telephone 463-6403.

If you have any concerns about the ethical conduct of the research you may contact the Victoria University HEC Convener: Associate Professor Susan Corbett. Email [email protected] or telephone +64-4-463 5480.