Current Study — HE040648
Got ADHD and a smartphone?
Let's talk about screen time. We are looking for participants to write short fictional stories based on prompts we provide.”
What is the aim?
Exploring how people with ADHD navigate their online and offline lives.
Not everyone experiences the internet the same way. This project explores how people with ADHD connect and disconnect from screens — and what that means for their sense of time, productivity, and relationships. We use story completion: short fictional prompts that you finish in your own words. This approach lets you engage with sensitive topics like ADHD and screen time at arm's length, so you only ever share what you feel comfortable sharing. We're interested in how you make sense of the relationship between ADHD and digital life.
This is a Marsden Fast Start research project led by Victoria University of Wellington — Te Herenga Waka.
How can you help?
Story Completion Study
You'll complete a series of short fictional story prompts — each response is a made up story of at least 1,000 characters. You'll receive a $30 gift card on completion.
These stories can be loosely inspired by your life if you want, but they do not need to be a direct account of your own experiences.
01
Demographics
At the start, you'll share some background information about yourself.
02
Story Prompts
You'll be given prompts on key topics and asked to write fictional stories about an imagined person with ADHD in these situations.
03
Taking Part
Take part in your own time online, or join us on Zoom — whichever works best for you.
Example story prompts
Topics of Interest
01Experiencing productivity pressure & managing screen time
Imagine someone with ADHD who needs to be productive online. How do they feel? What happens to their screen time?
02What it means to 'disconnect' — with or without digital media
What does disconnecting mean to this person? How do they actually do it?”
03Benefits, challenges & downsides of disconnecting from the internet
When they go offline, what do they gain — and what do they lose?
04How disconnecting affects your sense of time & relationships
Does stepping away change how time feels for them? How does it affect the people around them?”
Participant rights
Your Rights
Right 01
Withdraw Consent
You can withdraw your consent up to 1 month after completion. Your entry will be linked to your email address.
Right 02
Ask Questions
Questions can be asked at any time before, during, or after the study.
Right 03
Confidentiality
Your information is confidential. Data is stored on the university's OneDrive server with two-factor authentication.
Right 04
Stop at Any Time
You can stop taking part in the story completion study at any time without penalty.
Right 05
Choose Your Story
In each section, you’ll see two prompts. Read both and respond to the prompt you feel more compelled to — there are no right or wrong choices here.
Right 06
Raise Concerns
Ethical concerns can be raised with the HEC Convenor. Call 0800 04 04 04 or email the convenor directly.
Transparency
Data Management
Ethics
Approved by the Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Human Ethics Committee. Application reference: HE040648.
Safety
Data stored on the university OneDrive server, protected by two-factor authentication.
Output
Data will be used for research publications, social media posts, and community resources. You'll receive a link to the findings in the future.
Retention
De-identified data will be destroyed in 10 years, allowing it to be used for future research projects.
Research team
Who Has Access
A
Alex Beattie
Senior Lecturer, School of Information Management — VUW
T
Assoc. Prof. Terry Fleming
Victoria University of Wellington — Te Herenga Waka
K
Dr. Karaitiana Taiuru
Taiuru & Associates Ltd
Ngāi Tahu · Ngāti Kahungunu · Ngāti Toa
M
Maggie Shippam & Dr. Ally Gibson
Victoria University of Wellington — Te Herenga Waka
Zoom session
Story Completion Party — Guidelines
01
Keep Group Confidentiality
Please do not share who took part or what was discussed. Some people won't be open about their ADHD.
02
Video Off & Muted
Keep your video off and microphone muted so others can focus while completing their prompts.
03
Questions via Zoom Chat
To minimise disruption, please use the Zoom Chat to ask questions during the session.
04
No Right or Wrong
Every person's experiences and opinions matter. Write what feels true to you.
05
Take Breaks
Food and toilet breaks are welcome anytime while the session is running.
06
Phone on Silent
Put your phone on silent during the meeting so you and others can stay focused.