Kansas Broadband Study
Thank you for your interest in our study of broadband in Kansas! The survey is now closed. We are analyzing the data and will share our results. If you or your organization have data on broadband in Kansas, we would be interested in hearing from you. Please contact us at ipsr.ku.edu.
Introduction & Consent
The Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) at the University of Kansas is conducting a study on broadband access and affordability in Kansas. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of internet access for schools, households, health care, and the economy. Researchers at the University of Kansas are assessing the availability and quality of internet connections across the state.
This survey and speed test are designed to gather data about the availability and speed of internet service in Kansas, including to identify locations that lack internet or broadband service. The University of Kansas supports the practice of protection for human subjects participating in research. The following information is provided for you to decide whether you wish to participate in the present study. You should be aware that even if you agree to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without penalty.
We are conducting this survey to better understand and measure internet access across Kansas. This will entail your completion of a survey and speed test. The content of the survey should cause no more discomfort than you would experience in your everyday life and your participation is strictly voluntary. All responses are anonymous and confidential. Participant data will be password protected, accessible only by researchers analyzing data for this project, and stored securely on KU-owned servers maintained by IPSR. The speed test is powered by Ookla and automatically collects your test results, computer’s IP address, non-precise location, and internet service provider, however, your name and address will not be collected or associated in any way with the research findings. Researchers will use the computer IP address recorded by Ookla to link your survey responses to your speed test results. Once we have linked your speed test to your survey results, your IP address will be deleted. It is possible however with internet communications that through intent or accident someone other than the intended recipient may see your responses. See the note at the end of this statement for more details from Ookla’s privacy policy.
Completion of the survey indicates your willingness to participate in this project, that you are over the age of eighteen, and that you are currently located in Kansas. If you have any additional questions about your rights as a research participant, you may call (785) 864-7429 or (785) 864-7385, write the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), University of Kansas, 2385 Irving Hill Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7563, or email ipsr.ku.edu.
We believe that the information obtained from this study will help us gain a better understanding of internet availability that will benefit Kansas communities.
This survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. You may take the survey only once.
If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Dr. Germaine Halegoua (grhalegoua@ku.edu), Donna Ginther, principal investigator (dginther@ku.edu), or ipsr.unit.ku.edu.
Thank you so much for your time, and we look forward to better understanding your broadband access.
Principal Investigator Contact Information:
Dr. Donna Ginther
Director, Institute for Policy and Social Research (IPSR)
Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor, Department of Economics
333 Snow Hall
1460 Jayhawk Blvd
Lawrence, KS 66045-7585
Phone: (785) 864-3251
dginther@ku.edu
Additional details from Ookla’s privacy policy:
When participants test their internet connection speed "the information we gather from all tests run through Ookla is collected anonymously and then aggregated to provide performance data to users on the Ookla websites, including its Speedtest server hosts, and/or to third parties to whom we license the information."
When conducting a speed test through Ookla, the company collects "(a) the test results; (b) non-precise information about the approximate physical location of your computer or device-derived from GeoIP Data and/or Precise Location Data (if your mobile device settings allow it); and (c) Other Information, including, but not limited to, the IP address, the ISP [internet service provider], college or organization that operates the network you test, and network, hardware and device identifiers such as your SSID [service set identifier] or IMEI [International Mobile Equipment Identity] (if the test is conducted on a smartphone)... Your Speedtest or Sensorly results may be used by Ookla to conduct analyses and prepare product enhancements, as well as to prepare market reports."