Principal investigator: Amir H. Ghaseminejad, Ph.D. Candidate, School of Communication Simon Fraser University | Faculty supervisor: Dr. Richard Smith, Professor, School of Communication Simon Fraser University |
I am a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University, School of Communication, investigating the relationships between variables that are related to citizen engagement in mediated democratic societies. The research I am doing is part of the requirements of my PhD dissertation.
Many variables may contribute to consent, apathy, inattention, distraction, attention, concern, or dissent of citizens. This research is an attempt to identify the variables that influence, and are influenced by, different levels of citizen engagement in technologically mediated democratic systems.
Participating in this study may be an opportunity for you to explore your own attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and behaviors. You may like some questions which provoke deep thinking and reflection in areas of your interest. Moreover, your participation may help better understanding of the parameters which produce informed citizen participation in democratic discourse.
I am trying to find out whether there are any correlations among peopleâs democratic engagement, and other variables including their world views; habits of using media technologies and outlets; patterns of online and offline social networking; exposure or attention to different agendas and forms of framing; hopes, despairs, level of trust, personal needs, and their life conditions.
I hope you will kindly help me by participating in a four-part anonymous survey.
Alternatively, you may contact me by phone at 604-618-9620, or you can email me at ahghasem@sfu.ca so we can meet for a confidential interview about the subject.
You can also ask me to provide you with the printed copy of the survey, and to accompany you while you are answering the questions. I will be happy to meet you wherever it is convenient for you. Just let me know your interest and availability.
At http://websurvey.sfu.ca/survey/181032697 you can find a copy of the informed consent form for the online survey. It provides additional information about this research. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my research project.
Thank you very much in advance for your time and kind consideration.
Best Regards,
Amir H. Ghaseminejad,
Ph.D. Candidate,
School of Communication
Simon Fraser University