1. What is the aim of your study? What are the objectives for your study?
Aim
The aim of the research is to critically assess the perception of soundscape in an open plan office and how they impact on employees’ performance, health and wellbeing.
Objective
To review the concepts and properties of soundscapes within an indoor setting
To review the perception of the soundscape to identify positive and negative sounds.
To evaluate the relationship between the acoustic/auditory environment and the responses and behavioural characteristics of people living within it.
To determine the impact of adding different soundscape to allow for diverse functional spaces within the offices i.e. addition of quiet rooms on employees’ satisfaction and stress levels.
To compare employees’ perception of adding positive sounds to the existing offices i.e. masking (white/pink noise & music) and distracting sounds (natural sounds eg. water).
Evaluating possible improvements to the soundscape to enhance comfort conditions and satisfaction in the tested environments.
2. Explain the rationale for this study (refer to relevant research literature in your response).
Open plan offices are becoming more popular due to various reasons including their useable area and enhanced communication between employees. However, adapting open plan offices creates several issues that might surpasses positive ones. Some of the main concerns of having open plan offices are noise and privacy issues which impact employees’ performance, health and satisfaction with their environment (Acun and Yilmazer, 2018; Jungsoo et al., 2013; Jahncke et al., 2013; Zhang et al., 2012; Kaarlela-Tuomaala et al., 2009).
There have been numerous studies to define the objective measures and design characteristics of open plan offices in order to increase work satisfaction and provide suitable environment for employees. Some of the key findings of previous studies are listed below:
– People generated noise within the building and external noise from outdoors are considered annoying (Pierrette et al., 2014).
– The main elements defined to enhance office environment satisfaction are appropriate lighting and ease of communication (M et al., 2011).
– Open plan offices forces employees to define their own copying approach with existing soundscape such as wearing headphones to isolate themselves which in turns opposes the concept of having open plan offices (Seddigh et al., 2015).
– Silent offices can be as distractive and unconfutable as noisy offices (Seddigh et al., 2015).
Based on the above, objective measures alone are not enough to define office acoustics and soundscape studies to evaluate employees’ perception are as important due to the impact of soundscape on employees’ performance, health, and overall satisfaction with the workplace.
The need for soundscape perception is becoming more important and has been acknowledged and included in ISO 12913-1 2014 publication (ISO 12913-1, 2014). Recently there are many studies on evaluating urban and external soundscapes but very few studies to explore soundscape perception and possible improvements in open plan offices and indoor spaces.
One of the studies on open plan offices in china determined the relationship between loud noise and depression or being tired at work; however, the solutions provided are not very efficient as they go against the core concepts of open plan offices for example the implementation of raised panels between desks or private office to isolate employee (Zhang, Kang and Jiao, 2012).
Other studies focused on introducing positive sound such as masking noise such as using different water sounds to enhance indoor soundscapes. These studies varied in their outcome and employees’ perception from improved satisfaction to no difference or annoyance level based on the different sounds used (Young Joen et al., 2018, 2013; Galburn and T.Ali, 2013). Rådstern-Ekman et al. (2013) study included sea, stream, waterfall sounds, and in later studies fountain sounds to conclude that pleasant water sounds can enhance satisfaction even when they are below background noise and therefore considered as distractive sounds (Radsten Ekman et al., 2015, 2013). This is also proved through Jeon et al. (2010) as he stated that water sounds are more effective when they are 3 dB or equal to background noise (Young Jeon, et al.,2010). These studies were mainly focused on masking outdoor noise and further investigation is required to validate their performance in masking indoor noise.
3. Provide an outline of your study design and methods.
The study will include two open plan offices at the same Organisation, and will therefore, have similar work tasks. One space is very quiet (this consist of one floor) and the other is fairly lively/ noisy (this consists of two floors), there will be 5 different stages to the study, these stages are described below:
1. Define physical features and objective acoustics parameters of the offices (RT, STI, LAeq, shape, size, etc.).
Both offices have structured desks layout (grid system) with very little variation in desks distribution. Therefore, there will be 3-6 measurement locations across the offices based on the office size and number of floors. These measurements are used as a reference to the existing acoustic characteristics of the space.
2. Identify existing soundscape of the two offices:
Carry out a survey to assess employees’ perception of existing soundscape.
i. This can be achieved through soundwalks and surveys. Considering both offices follow hot desking approach and have structured desks layout, soundwalks wouldn’t have added much to the perception due to the lack of variation in the soundscape and the fact that employees are already experiencing different locations within the office due to the hot desking approach. Consequently, surveys were considered more appropriate for the study.
ii. The survey involves giving participants questionnaire at the start of the working day and ask them to fill it by the end of the day; to have an idea of what are they expected to observe throughout the day.
iii. Sound meters are kept close to the locations of participants to carry out objective/subjective measurements simultaneously.
3. Convert one of the meeting rooms in the noisy office to quiet room in order to give the employees the option to change their soundscape, especially when doing concentration demanding tasks.
i. Survey to check employees feedback on the overall satisfaction with the office soundscape after having the quiet room and the impact on their performance levels.
4. Analyse the impact of various background sounds (including natural sounds like water, music, pink/white) on employees’ performance and satisfaction with the soundscape
i. This is more feasible to implement in the quiet smaller office.
ii. Implement sound masking without advanced notice to the employees and then carry out a survey to check employees’ perception of the masking/distracting sounds.
5. Once the above surveys are completed, check the possibility to perform the same in the international offices (could be 3-5). Doing this will increase the study sample and cover a wider selection with various cultural backgrounds. Additionally, will involve wider range of office designs and objective sound characteristics.
4. Please provide a detailed description of the study sample, covering selection, sample profile,
recruitment and if appropriate, inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The sample for each survey will random sampling of 20 people minimum, including both males and females working in the offices.
Employees will be of different age group and backgrounds, mostly ranging between 24 years – 60 years.
Approximately all employees will be working 9.5 h/day
Around 25% of employees will have background in acoustics (i.e. acoustic consultants, AV consultants, etc.)
Ideally the same sample should be used throughout the stages but it may not be possible due to employees’ availability.
The main limitations of the sampling group are the following:
i. The main limitations are sampling number as the number is restricted to smaller sample trying to get most participants to give their input on both offices which could be harder with larger group
ii. Sampling group varies largely in age which can influence their experience, health, and moods.
iii. Sampling group varies largely in their background in both offices which can include factors influencing participants subjective view of the soundscape that are not considered in this study, including but not limited to their home soundscape and what they are expecting from their work soundscape.
5. Are payments or rewards/incentives going to be made to the participants? Yes • No •
If so, please give details below.
6. Please indicate how you intend to address each of the following ethical considerations in your study. If you consider that they do not relate to your study please say so.
Guidance to completing this section of the form is provided at the end of the document.
a. Consent
Consent form to be signed by participants and both offices authority
b. Deception
Not relevant
c. Debriefing
Self-completion questionnaire
d. Withdrawal from the investigation
This will be included in the consent form
e. Confidentiality
Anonymity of participants’ feedback and filled questionnaires will be stated in the consent form. Additionally, the purpose of the survey and usage of data will be stated and any personal information relevant to the project will be kept anonymous
f. Protection of participants
No harm is caused by the research
g. Observation research
Not relevant
h. Giving advice
Not relevant
i. Research undertaken in public places
Not relevant
j. Data protection
Anonymity of participants’ feedback and filled questionnaires will be stated in the consent form. Additionally, the purpose of the survey and usage of data will be stated and any personal information relevant to the project will be kept anonymous
k. Animal Rights
Not relevant
l. Environmental protection
Not relevant
7. Are there any further ethical implications arising from your proposed research? Yes • No •
If your answer was no, please explain why.
8. Have / do you intend to request ethical approval from any other body/organisation? Yes • No •
If ‘Yes’ – please give details
9. What resources will you require? (e.g. psychometric scales, IT equipment, specialised software, access to specialist facilities, such as microbiological containment laboratories).
1. Hardware:
• Available Test room/Quiet Room with Desks + Screens
• Sound Meter
• Audio Recorder
• Might need speakers for sound masking if not available in the office
2. Software
• Audacity (Digital Audio Editor)
• SPSS/Excel
10. What study materials will you use? (Please give full details here of validated scales, bespoke questionnaires, interview schedules, focus group schedules etc and attach all materials to the
application)
The surveys will be carried out using information sheet and questionnaires, both are still under design but will be reviewed by the supervising professor before starting the survey. They include but not limited to the following elements:
1. Information sheet:
• Brief about project details and the role of participants in the survey.
• Addressing data protection and anonymity of participants’ feedback and filled questionnaire.
• Requesting participants to sign consent for participation in the survey and indicating freedom of withdrawing from the survey at anytime
2. Questionnaires
• Personal details – Gender, Age group, Background.
• Office satisfaction: different factors impacting satisfaction and their importance. How important acoustic is compared to other factors like lighting, temperature, design, etc. can be evaluated through 5-point scale e.g. not important at all, not important, neutral, important, and very important.
• Acoustics Factors- (scaled questions mostly using 5-point scale eg. (very quiet, quiet, acceptable, noisy, very noisy):
Sound Level: 5 point-scale
Acoustic sources and perception: dominance and quality description; positive, negative, pleasant, annoying. Conversations, ring tones, HVAC, external noise, office equipment, etc.
Health symptoms in relation to office soundscape: sound sensitivity, tiredness, depression, stress, distraction, impact on performance.
Suggested improvements
Comparison of the above mentioned factors for different improvement solutions: the impact of the improvement option on the different elements using different scales.
Coping methods: example frequent use of headphone music to mask the noise, etc.
Which of the following have you appended to this application?
Focus group questions Psychometric scales
Self-completion questionnaire Interview questions
Other debriefing material Covering letter for participants
Information sheet about your research study Informed consent forms for participants
Other (please describe)
PLEASE SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION WITH ALL APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION
Advice on completing the ethical considerations aspects of a programme of research
Consent
Informed consent must be obtained for all participants before they take part in your project. The form should clearly state what they will be doing, drawing attention to anything they could conceivably object to subsequently. It should be in language that the person signing it will understand. It should also state that they can withdraw from the study at any time and the measures you are taking to ensure the confidentiality of data. If children are recruited from schools you will require the permission, depending on the school, of the head teacher, and of parents. Children over 14 years should also sign an individual consent form themselves. If conducting research with children or vulnerable adults you will normally also require Criminal Records Bureau clearance. Research to be carried out in any institution (prison, hospital, etc.) will require permission from the appropriate authority.
Covert or Deceptive Research
Research involving any form of deception can be particularly problematical, and you should provide a full explanation of why a covert or deceptive approach is necessary, why there are no acceptable alternative approaches not involving deception, and the scientific justification for deception.
Debriefing
Debriefing is a process of reflection once the research intervention is complete, for example at the end of an interview session. How will participants be debriefed (written or spoken feedback)? If they will not be debriefed, give reasons. Please attach the written debrief or transcript for the oral debrief. This can be particularly important if covert or deceptive research methods are used.
Withdrawal from investigation
Participants should be told explicitly that they are free to leave the study at any time without jeopardy. It is important that you clarify exactly how and when this will be explained to participants. Participants also have the right to withdraw their data in retrospect, after you have received it. You will need to clarify how they will do this and at what point they will not be able to withdraw (i.e. after the data has been analysed and disseminated).
Protection of participants
Are the participants at risk of physical, psychological or emotional harm greater than encountered ordinary life? If yes, describe the nature of the risk and steps taken to minimise it.
Observational research
If observational research is to be conducted without prior consent, please describe the situations in which observations will take place and say how local cultural values and privacy of individuals and/or institutions will be taken into account.
Giving advice
Students should not put themselves in a position of authority from which to provide advice and should in all cases refer participants to suitably qualified and appropriate professionals.
Research in public places
You should pay particular attention to the implications of research undertaken in public places. The impact on the social environment will be a key issue. You must observe the laws of obscenity and public decency. You should also have due regard to religious and cultural sensitivities.
Confidentiality/Data Protection
You must comply with the Data Protection Act and the University’s Good Scientific Practice http://www.derby.ac.uk/research/policy-and-strategy This means:
• It is very important that the Participant Information Sheet includes information on what the research is for, who will conduct the research, how the personal information will be used, who will have access to the information and how long the information will be kept for. This is known as a ‘fair processing statement.’
• You must not do anything with the personal information you collect over and above that for which you have consent.
• You can only make audio or visual recordings of participants with their consent (this should be stated on the Participant Information sheet)
• Identifiable personal information should only be conveyed to others within the framework of the act and with the participant’s permission.
• You must store data securely. Consent forms and data should be stored separately and securely.
• You should only collect data that is relevant to the study being undertaken.
• Data may be kept indefinitely providing its sole use is for research purposes and meets the following conditions:
• The data is not being used to take decisions in respect of any living individual.
• The data is not being used in any which is, or is likely to, cause damage and/or distress to any living individual.
• You should always protect a participant’s anonymity unless they have given their permission to be identified (if they do so, this should be stated on the Informed Consent Form).
• All data should be returned to participants or destroyed if consent is not given after the fact, or if a participant withdraws.
Animal rights.
Research which might involve the study of animals at the University is not likely to involve intrusive or invasive procedures. However, you should avoid animal suffering of any kind and should ensure that proper animal husbandry practices are followed. You should show respect for animals as fellow sentient beings.
Environmental protection
The negative impacts of your research on the natural environment and animal welfare, must be minimised and must be compliant to current legislation. Your research should appropriately weigh longer-term research benefit against short-term environmental harm needed to achieve research goals.
References
Acoustics – Soundscape – Part 1: Definition and conceptual framework ISO 12913-1. (2014). Geneva: ISO.
Acun, V. and Yilmazer, S. (2018). Applied Acoustics Volume 131. [ebook] Elsevier Ltd, pp.28-37. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003682X16305850 [Accessed 24 Nov. 2018].
Galburn, L. and T.Ali, T. (2013). The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America – Acoustical and perceptual assessment of water sounds and their use over road traffic noise. [ebook] The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. Available at: https://asa.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1121/1.4770242?class=pdf [Accessed 2 Dec. 2018].
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Young Jeon, J., Jik Lee, P. and You, J. (2013). Acoustical characteristics of water sounds for soundscape enhancement in urban open spaces. [ebook] The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. Available at: https://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.3681938 [Accessed 2 Dec. 2018].
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