Frequently Asked Questions

Here you'll find answers to common questions about the study.

Who can join this study?

You may qualify if you are between 18 and 25 years old, live in the United States, are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have used an e-cigarette or vape in the past 30 days. You must also be willing to complete surveys on a mobile app and provide a saliva sample at home.

What will I be asked to do?

Every six months for about three years, you’ll complete a 30-day period where you answer two short surveys each day on a mobile app. At the end of those 30 days, you’ll complete a longer survey and take an at-home saliva test using a kit we send you. All instructions are provided, and the entire study is done remotely.

How long does the study last?

The study lasts about three years. You’ll be asked to complete study activities once every six months during that time.

What if I quit using e-cigarettes during the study?

You can still stay in the study if you quit using e-cigarettes or vapes. This is an observational study, which means we want to learn from people who continue using, cut back, or stop completely. Your experience is valuable no matter how your use changes.

Will I be paid for participating?

Yes. You can earn up to $150 every six months depending on how many study activities you complete. If you finish all seven rounds over three years, you could earn up to $1,050.

How will I be paid?

After you join the study, you will be mailed a reloadable debit card. This is a physical card that you can keep and use like a regular debit card.

At the end of each study wave (every six months), the money you earn for completing surveys and the saliva test will be loaded directly onto your card. You’ll keep the same card for the entire study, and new funds will be added after each wave.

Do I have to pay anything to take part?

No, there are no costs to you for joining the study.

Is the study confidential?

Yes. Your survey answers and saliva test results will be coded so your name is not linked to your data. All information is stored securely, and the study is covered by a Certificate of Confidentiality, which means your data is further protected by law.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes. Participation is voluntary. You can stop at any time without penalty or loss of benefits.

How will I get the study materials?

We’ll email you instructions and send any needed materials, such as the saliva test kit, to your home. All tasks are completed remotely using your phone and the mobile app.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

If you have questions about the study, you can email the study team at endsight@ou.edu, or call us at (405) 347-1544. For questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact the OUHSC Office of Human Research Participant Protection at (405) 271-2045.

How do you keep my information safe?

We take your privacy and security very seriously, and protecting your information is one of our top priorities.

Any personal information you provide, such as your name, contact information, Social Security number, or ID, is stored securely and kept separate from your study responses.

Here are some of the steps we take to protect your information:

Secure storage: Personal information is stored on a secure, HIPAA-compliant university server with encryption and password protection.
Limited access: Only approved study staff can access identifying information, and only when necessary for study administration or payment.
Coded research data: Your survey responses and test results are linked to a study ID number, not your name.
Staff training: All research staff complete required privacy and confidentiality training every year.
Oversight: This study is reviewed by a university ethics board (Institutional Review Board) to help ensure participant rights and confidentiality are protected.
Extra privacy protection: Because this study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is covered by a Certificate of Confidentiality. This means the research team generally cannot be forced to share information that could identify you, even in most legal situations (like a subpoena). This extra protection also applies to sensitive survey topics, such as nicotine use or other substance use.

We work hard to make sure your information is handled responsibly and securely at every step.

What will the study team never ask me for?

We will never ask you for:

Your bank account or routing number
Your credit card number
Passwords to any personal accounts
Payment through Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
Money or fees to join the study

All study payments are provided through a reloadable debit card that is mailed to you, and you will never be asked to send money to anyone.

Is this a scam? How can I verify the study is real?

We understand that paid remote studies can raise concerns, and we encourage you to verify that this study is legitimate before sharing personal information.

This research study is being conducted through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC). You can confirm the study by contacting the research team directly:

Study Contact: Dr. Stephanie Clendennen, Program Manager
Phone: (405) 347-1544

If you have questions about your rights as a research participant or want to confirm the study through the university, you may also contact:

OUHSC Office of Human Research Participant Protection
Phone: (405) 271-2045

We are always happy to answer questions and help you feel comfortable before enrolling.

Why do you need my Social Security number and photo ID?

We understand that providing your Social Security number and a photo ID can feel personal, and it is completely normal to have questions.

We collect this information for two reasons:

Social Security number (SSN):
Because participants are paid for their time, the University is required to collect a Social Security number for payment and federal tax reporting purposes. This information is used only to process study compensation.

Photo ID:
Since this is a fully online study, we also ask for a photo ID to verify your identity. This helps us confirm that participants are real people and within the correct age range (18–25). Unfortunately, online studies can sometimes be targeted by fraudulent enrollments, and ID verification helps protect the study and ensure payments go to legitimate participants.

Your Social Security number and ID are not used for research purposes. They are only used for payment processing, eligibility verification, and compliance.

We take privacy very seriously. Any personal identifying information is stored securely, kept separate from your survey responses, and only accessible to authorized study staff. Your study data is coded so your name is not attached to your responses.

If you are not comfortable providing this information, you can choose not to participate. If you have questions at any time, our study team is happy to talk through the process.