International students and employees sought for participation in compensated research study

From: Department of Sociology

Virginia Tech research (IRB #23-408) investigating scam victimization of international and first generation immigrant students and employees of Virginia Tech calls for participants.

Participants will take part in interactive story circle workshop(s) and provide metaphoric photo journals about the types of scams, vulnerabilities, support systems and communities, and coping mechanisms of international victims. The project also aims to empower said individuals and communities, and help Virginia Tech to develop resources for the said communities.

Compensation (gift cards) will be provided to the participants who take part in at least one workshop, submit a photo journal, and complete a short post test survey at the end of the program (minimum compensation is $35, maximum compensation is $125, depending on commitment of participant). Activities start in October and run through the fall semester. Application is ongoing. Details will be communicated to eligible applicants.

Who is eligible?

Every Virginia Tech student and employee is eligible who is a) 18 years old or older, with b) international or first generation immigrant background, c) has been approached or victimized by cyberscammers or knows someone who has been, d) has a good command of the English language (reading, writing, speaking; as no language translation or interpretation will be provided).

Where to sign up?

To sign up for the study, please take this short survey: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/Scamworkshopeligibility.  

Questions

For questions, please contact Katalin Parti, PI, kparti@vt.edu.