As a member of the Understanding America study, you are eligible to be provided with a UAS smartphone. If you agree, we will send you an iPhone SE and pay for the phone plan for two years. At the end of the two years, you can keep the phone. We hope you will enjoy using it!
Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions:
Q: Why are you offering to give me a phone and pay for it for two years?
A: To be able to participate in some of the UAS research projects, you need a certain type of smartphone for personal use. Since you don’t have one, we have not been able to invite you in the past. If you have the UAS phone, you can be invited and read about the projects and decide for yourself.
Q: What kind of UAS research projects will I be eligible to join?
A: For example, if you have a UAS smartphone, you might also be paid to wear a Fitbit activity watch that measures steps and sleep. We also have a project that will pay you to wear a small device that monitors air quality. With the UAS smartphone, you will now have a chance to be invited to these projects and decide if you would like to join.
Q: Do I have to participate in UAS research projects if I get the phone?
A: No! We of course hope you will be interested and want to join (or be able to), of course. That said, you do not have to participate in any UAS projects to keep the phone. Just continue to do UAS surveys as you have been doing. If you decide to stop doing UAS surveys, just let us know.
Q: Can I use the phone for personal use - to talk and text and go online?
A: Yes! In addition to using the phone for doing UAS surveys and participating in UAS projects, you can use it for your personal talk and texting. You can use it to email or visit online social media sites. You of course should not use the phone, or allow others to use the phone, for any illegal activities.
Q. What happens if the phone is lost or stolen or damaged?
A: If the phone is lost or stolen or damaged, we ask that you just let us know right away. We will then stop paying for that phone’s plan. If it is within the 2-year period, we will send you a replacement, with a new phone plan that covers the remaining time.
Q: Can I keep the phone even if I do not do any more UAS surveys or projects?
A: We ask that you continue to fill out at least one UAS survey every three months. If you stop doing surveys, we will contact you to see if you are ready to return the phone.
Q: How do I return the phone?
A: If you decide you no longer want to use the phone, or if you decide to leave the UAS or no longer want to do surveys or projects, you just contact the UAS helpdesk and we will send you a prepaid shipping box to return the phone.
Q. What happens after two years?
A: After two years we will contact you about the next steps. You can decide to keep the phone if you choose. The UAS will no longer pay for the phone plan, but you can buy your own. There are many options, including inexpensive "pay as you go" plans.
If you have more questions, please call or write to the UAS helpdesk for more information (phone: 1-855-872-8673; email:
uashelp@usc.edu)