Informed Consent
Please read this informed consent carefully before you decide to participate in this study.

Consent Form Key Information:
1. Participate in a 10-15 minute survey about your career experiences in software engineering at either a Big Tech or non-tech company.
2. No information will be collected that connects respondents' identity with their responses.
3. There are no direct benefits of this study, but the results may provide a better understanding of workplace environment, job satisfaction, and career development opportunities for software engineers. 

Purpose of the research study: Through this empirical research, we aim to gain a better understanding of the differences in workplace environment, job satisfaction, and career development opportunities for software engineers at Big Tech companies versus non-tech companies. Specifically, our investigation has the following objectives: 

Objective 1: Compare the differences regarding the role and experiences of software developers at Big Tech companies vs non-tech companies.
Objective 2: Provide feedback to companies to further improve their working environment.
Objective 3: Offer insights about working environments at different types of companies to current/future software developers.

What you will do in the study: Taking part in this study involves completing a Qualtrics survey that will take 10-15 minutes. This survey contains questions about the participant's experience at their job in software engineering. Participants can skip any question that makes them uncomfortable, and they can stop the survey at any time.

Time required: The study will require 10-15 minutes.

Risks: There are no anticipated risks in this study.
Benefits: There are no direct benefits to you for participating in this research study. The interview results will help provide a better understanding of workplace environment, job satisfaction, and career development opportunities for software engineers. We will share our results to the entire research community and industry to increase understanding and awareness, along with providing possible improvements for workplaces. Both participants and non-participants may benefit from the results.

Confidentiality: We will not collect any identifying information. We will not maintain names or email addresses in relation to the interviews. Therefore, the data will be anonymous immediately after collection. 
Voluntary participation: Your participation in the study is completely voluntary.
Right to withdraw from the study: You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
How to withdraw from the study: If you want to withdraw from the study, please exit out of the survey. We will not be able to withdraw your material after the asynchronous interview is complete because the data will be kept anonymous from then on.


IRB Statement: If you have questions about the study or need to report a study related issue please contact us. If you have questions about your rights as a participant in a research study, would like to make suggestions or file complaints and concerns about the research study, please contact irb@seattleu.edu.

Agreement: By clicking next on this survey you consent to participate and certify that you are 18 years of age or older. Please keep a copy of this informed consent form for your records. We appreciate your participation of our study. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
Xin Zhao
Riley Young