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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nI thought I would share what I have done, hoping\nperhaps that Thesislink readers might give me some feedback regarding the\napproach! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Setting the Scene<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\ndeveloped this chatbot to help me recruit potential participants who are\nworking within manufacturing industries. I ask questions that aim to highlight\nthe suitability of the respondents. Potential participants will first hear\nabout the opportunity to participate through an advertisement delivered through\nprofessional groups, unions, company intranets etc. The advertisement also\nincludes a non-chatbot option for first contact. An approved Ethics\nApplication, including recruitment process, is a prerequisite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What does my Chatbot do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\nsimply asks a series of questions that signals the broad suitability of the\nrespondent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why a Chatbot?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My\nparticipants will come from manufacturing industries. Manufacturing employees\ndon\u2019t necessarily have a desk, a computer or a work email address \u2013 making\ninitial contact and responding more difficult than for those working in offices\nor service\/knowledge sectors. Furthermore, the smartphone\nmay be the only access to a computer and the internet for some potential\nparticipants. I would like to have opportunity for access to front line\noperational employees without influence from management (e.g. intranet notice).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some\npotential participants may trust the content on their phone more so than\nphysical mail, or a printed notice on a notice board or company intranet. A chatbot may engage\nparticipants more than a static PDF flyer, and may increase participation from\na younger demographic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nchatbot also allows me to reach a larger pool of potential participants in a\nshorter time frame, compared to mail, intranets, noticeboards etc. The responses are saved\ndirectly to a spreadsheet and I\nam sent an email notification as soon as responses are received. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What happens next in the\nparticipant recruitment process, after the participant completes the questions\nfrom the Chatbot?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\nassess the responses. I contact potential participants and conduct the first\npotential participant discussion \u2013 in whatever way is agreed in the research\nethics application. I also contact potential\nparticipants who would not<\/em> be\nincluded in the research and advise them of the outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What about Ethics and\nPrivacy?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\nare two points where opting out is prompted, once at the start and once when I\nre-confirm if I can save the responses. I clearly state how I will use contact\ninformation, and I deliberately ask for contact information at the end<\/em> of the questions. If permission is given to save\nthe data, it is automatically saved in a spreadsheet located securely in a\nprivate google account. There could also be references to Ethics Policy with\nlinks to relevant material. I have not done that for this example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are\nyou ready to try my chatbot and perhaps give me feedback?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Great!\nThe chatbot is in test mode, simply enter in answers just to test, try\ndifferent question options if you like. This is not part of a study, it is just\nfor you to test the method and usability. I have added a couple of questions at\nthe end of the chatbot for your feedback. Just pretend you work in\nmanufacturing and put in answers for the questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thesislink.aut.ac.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/chatbot-spreadsheet-screenshot.png?resize=464%2C164&ssl=1\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thesislink.aut.ac.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chatbot-QR-code.gif?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1\")
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