FAQs

We've got answers to your questions.

 

FAQs

1.  What is Trans Women Connected (TWC) Study?

Test out an app, take a few surveys and get paid! After taking the first survey, we will ask you to download an app about health. Our goal is to see if the apps help improve the health of trans women.

2:  Who can be involved in the TWC study? Who is eligible?

TWC is for trans women between ages 18-49. To be eligible, you have to self-identify as a trans woman and speak English. You also need to be sexually active, have a smartphone with internet access, and live in the U.S.

3.  How much do I get paid?

You can get up to $190 for taking all four surveys and completing app activities. You get e-gift cards for each survey: $20 for the first one, $20 for the second survey you take 1 month after starting the study, $40 for the third survey you take 3 months after starting the study and $60 for the final survey you take 6 months after starting the study. During the first month you have the app, you can earn up to $50 for completing activities.

4.  How do I get paid?

After you finish each survey, we will email you an e-gift card. You have a choice about what kind of gift card you want.

The gift cards for using the app and completing activities will be emailed after you complete the 2nd survey.

If you have questions about getting or using your gift card, contact us.

5.  What will you ask me about in the surveys?

The survey asks a range of questions about your health and behaviors. Some questions will ask about who you are and about your relationships. You can skip any question you don’t feel comfortable answering.

6.  How long does this take?

We will send you surveys to take in a 6-month period. The surveys take about 30 minutes each to finish. You can use the app at your own pace for as long as you want.

7.  What do you do with my survey answers?

We take your privacy very seriously. Your answers are completely private. No one will ever see how you answered. We never ask for your name and assign you a study ID to protect your identity. All your answers go into a database of all the other answers so even we don’t know who said what.

8.  How will my data be protected?

You will be assigned a participant number. No names will be used on the survey and we will not share the names of anyone agreeing to take part in the study. You will get text or email reminders for the survey and the app. You will be asked where you want these reminders sent. The information you enter on the app will not be shared with anyone outside the study. The app data is encrypted and housed on a secure HIPAA-compliant cloud-based server. Study staff and subject matter experts monitor discussions and are available to answer questions. The icon for the app is discrete so that it is not easily identifiable as a health app.

9.  How is TWC funded?

This project is funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

10.  Who made TWC?

TWC was developed by Portland State University and dfusion Inc, a small business that creates technology-based programs to improve people’s health. The evaluation of TWC will be conducted by ETR, a nonprofit health education and research organization. Both dfusion and ETR have trans women advisors and content experts to support product development and evaluation. During planning phases, trans women tested the app and provided feedback for improvements.

11.  Who is doing the evaluation?

The evaluation is being done by ETR—a nonprofit health education and research organization with many years of experience developing health education programs and conducting studies with transgender people.

12.  What’s the process for joining the study?

Thank you for your interest in TWC! The study is now closed because we have met our enrollment goal. If you’d like to learn about future studies or see the TWC app when this study is over, please contact us.

Have more questions?