Welcome to the NOW Study!
Who are we? We are the Complex Systems Group at the University of Pennsylvania, directed by Dr. Danielle Bassett. we study biological, physical, and social systems by using and developing tools from network science and complex systems theory.
What is this study about? We wish to learn more about the experience of smoking withdrawal in daily life when daily smokers are smoking as usual and when they are trying to stop smoking.
What does this study involve? Once eligible participants are enrolled (see "How do I qualify to participate?" below), participants will take part by visiting our laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. At the lab visit (~2 hours), participants will complete surveys on a computer and will be given instructions on the next part of the study. The next part of the study involves completing short (~3 minute) surveys multiple times a day for 10 days. Once the 10 days is over, we there will be another lab visit (~2 hours) during which participants will complete more surveys on a computer, will build a plan to help them abstain from smoking for 10 days, and will be given instructions on the next part of the study. The next part of the study involves completing short (~3 minute) surveys multiple times a day for 10 days while trying to abstain from smoking. At a final lab visit (~2 hours), participants will complete their final surveys.
Some participants will complete the smoke as usual 10-day period first and then complete the abstinent 10-day period. For other participants the order will be flipped.
During the 10-day periods, participants will wear devices on their wrists to collect information about their physical activity and their sleep quality. Participants will also provide expire carbon monoxide data twice a day (morning and evening) during the 10-day periods by blowing into a study device. This will help us collect data on how much participants are smoking.
What will the surveys be about? Our surveys will ask you questions about smoking behaviors, withdrawal experiences, aspects of their personalities, and about their feelings and mood.
Will you be paid for your time? Participants will be compensated $20 per lab visit (a total of $60/participant) and will also receive $10 per visit to offset travel costs (a total of $30/participant). Participants will earn $10/day during the 20-day smartphone portion of the study (a total of $200/participant) with the possibility to earn up to ($100/participant) depending on completion of daily reports, verified abstinence during the smoking abstinence attempt, and consistent use of wearables throughout the 20-day period.
What about my privacy? Your answers will be kept private. No personally identifiable information will be shared when study findings are published.
How do I qualify to participate? We are inviting participants to participate
If you are 18 years of age or older, you can complete this eligibility survey to see if you qualify to participate: Click here to go to eligibility survey
Contact details
You can contact the study team at 443-903-0830 or at nowstudypenn@gmail.com.
What is this study about? We wish to learn more about the experience of smoking withdrawal in daily life when daily smokers are smoking as usual and when they are trying to stop smoking.
What does this study involve? Once eligible participants are enrolled (see "How do I qualify to participate?" below), participants will take part by visiting our laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. At the lab visit (~2 hours), participants will complete surveys on a computer and will be given instructions on the next part of the study. The next part of the study involves completing short (~3 minute) surveys multiple times a day for 10 days. Once the 10 days is over, we there will be another lab visit (~2 hours) during which participants will complete more surveys on a computer, will build a plan to help them abstain from smoking for 10 days, and will be given instructions on the next part of the study. The next part of the study involves completing short (~3 minute) surveys multiple times a day for 10 days while trying to abstain from smoking. At a final lab visit (~2 hours), participants will complete their final surveys.
Some participants will complete the smoke as usual 10-day period first and then complete the abstinent 10-day period. For other participants the order will be flipped.
During the 10-day periods, participants will wear devices on their wrists to collect information about their physical activity and their sleep quality. Participants will also provide expire carbon monoxide data twice a day (morning and evening) during the 10-day periods by blowing into a study device. This will help us collect data on how much participants are smoking.
What will the surveys be about? Our surveys will ask you questions about smoking behaviors, withdrawal experiences, aspects of their personalities, and about their feelings and mood.
Will you be paid for your time? Participants will be compensated $20 per lab visit (a total of $60/participant) and will also receive $10 per visit to offset travel costs (a total of $30/participant). Participants will earn $10/day during the 20-day smartphone portion of the study (a total of $200/participant) with the possibility to earn up to ($100/participant) depending on completion of daily reports, verified abstinence during the smoking abstinence attempt, and consistent use of wearables throughout the 20-day period.
What about my privacy? Your answers will be kept private. No personally identifiable information will be shared when study findings are published.
How do I qualify to participate? We are inviting participants to participate
If you are 18 years of age or older, you can complete this eligibility survey to see if you qualify to participate: Click here to go to eligibility survey
Contact details
You can contact the study team at 443-903-0830 or at nowstudypenn@gmail.com.