[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Alexander James

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will produce and validate engaging videos using storytelling and evidence-based refutation approaches to correct common crypto misconceptions, to better-enable informative Cardano content creation

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

We'll publish everything for the community's review and involvement

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

TL;DR: Making Cardano Easier to Understand for Everyone

• What We're Doing: We're creating short, animated videos to make the complex world of Cardano and cryptocurrencies easy and fun to understand. These videos will use engaging stories and clear explanations to bust myths and clarify common confusions about Cardano.
• Why It's Special: Instead of just making videos and hoping they work, we're using science! We'll test these videos through a special study (called a Randomized Control Trial) to make sure they really help people understand Cardano better.
• How We Do It:

1. Make and Test Videos: First, we create some videos and see how a small group of people like them. We'll tweak them based on this feedback.
2. Check the Ethics: We'll make sure our study is fair and follows all the rules by getting approval from a university board.
3. The Big Test: We'll then show these videos to a larger group of people in a structured way to really measure if the videos are helping.
4. Share What We Learn: We'll write up what we found out and share it with the world in academic journals and with the Cardano community.
5. Help Cardano Grow: Finally, we'll use what we learned to help Cardano influencers and creators make even better content to teach and attract more people to Cardano.

• The Goal: Our aim is to make learning about Cardano accessible and engaging, so more people understand it and get involved. This helps the Cardano community grow stronger and more informed!

Refutational Approach Explained

Imagine you've heard a lot of things about Cardano and cryptocurrency, but not all of it is true. Maybe you've heard that cryptocurrencies are always unsafe or too complex for everyday people to understand. These are common misconceptions. A refutational approach is like having a knowledgeable friend who listens to these misconceptions and then carefully explains why they aren't quite right, using clear and simple facts.

Here's how it works:

1. Identify Misconceptions: First, we figure out what common misunderstandings people have about Cardano and cryptocurrency. For example, some might think it's only for tech-savvy people.
2. Directly Address Them: Then, in our videos, we directly say what the misconception is. For example, "You might have heard that you need to be a tech expert to use Cardano..."
3. Provide the Correct Information: Next, we explain the truth in an easy-to-understand way. "...but actually, Cardano is designed to be user-friendly, and here's how..."
4. Explain Why the Misconception Was Wrong: We also explain why the misconception isn't accurate, often using examples or stories to make it clear.
5. Summarize with the Correct Concept: Finally, we wrap it up by reinforcing the correct information, ensuring the viewer leaves with the right understanding.

The beauty of the refutational approach is that it doesn't just give you new information; it helps change the way you think about something by directly challenging and correcting what you might have believed before. It's like clearing up a blurry picture — suddenly, everything makes more sense. In our project, we're using this approach to help everyone understand Cardano better, clearing up any confusion and making the complex world of cryptocurrency a little easier for everyone to grasp.

Please find our more formal details below:

Our project is dedicated to designing and executing a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) that will produce and test a series of short, persuasive animated videos. These videos will be crafted using narrative and refutational techniques to address and correct common misconceptions about Cardano and cryptocurrency. The core objective of the RCT is to empirically determine the most effective methods for communicating complex blockchain concepts to a broader audience.

Key Elements of the Solution

1. Video Production for RCT: Development of a series of animated videos that utilize storytelling and refutational strategies to clarify misconceptions about Cardano. These videos serve as the primary tool for our RCT.
2. RCT Execution: Conducting a randomized control trial where these videos are shown to different audience segments to measure their effectiveness in changing perceptions and understanding of Cardano.
3. Data-Driven Insights: Analyzing RCT results to gain empirical insights into the most effective communication strategies in the crypto education space.

Impact on the Cardano Community

• Empirical Guidance for Content Creation: The results from our RCT will provide the Cardano community, especially influencers and content creators, with data-backed strategies for effective communication about Cardano and its ecosystem.
• Enhancing Community Engagement: By identifying the most effective ways to dispel myths and educate about Cardano, we aim to foster a more informed, engaged, and growing community.
• Long-Term Benefits: The insights gained from this project will serve as a valuable resource for ongoing and future content creation within the Cardano ecosystem, contributing to its overall growth and adoption.

In summary, our solution focuses on using a rigorous scientific approach to identify the best methods for communicating about Cardano, providing valuable insights to the community and setting a benchmark for future educational content creation.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

There are a lot of personalities trying to educate those outside the community to join, engage, and see all the amazing work being done here. Many outside both Cardano specifically and the crypto community more generally do not understand what crypto “is” and how it will inevitably impact their lives. While current communication efforts have found success, the academic literature highlights the durable advantage of refutational approaches. By highlighting this in the Cardano space, we hope others will adopt this approach to communicating how amazing Cardano is when onboarding new folks into the space. 

Expected positive impacts:

• Educational Enhancement: By addressing common misconceptions and complex topics in an accessible manner, our videos will make it easier for a wider audience to understand what Cardano and cryptocurrency are about. This is crucial for fostering a more informed community and attracting new users.
• Empowering Content Creators: The insights gained from our research will be invaluable for other educators and influencers in the Cardano space. They can use our findings to improve their own communication strategies, making their efforts more effective in engaging and educating the public.
• Strengthening Community Trust and Engagement: Clear and accurate information is key to building trust. By providing empirically tested content, we aim to enhance trust in the Cardano ecosystem, leading to increased engagement and adoption.

Impact Measurement Strategy

Pre- and Post-Intervention Assessments:

• Baseline Knowledge and Attitudes: Before participants view the videos, conduct a survey to assess their existing knowledge and attitudes about Cardano and cryptocurrency. This sets a baseline for comparison.
• Post-Viewing Assessment: After they have viewed the videos, conduct a follow-up survey. Compare the results with the baseline to see how much their understanding and attitudes have changed.

Specific Focus on Misconceptions:

• Identify Key Misconceptions: Start by identifying specific misconceptions about Cardano that your videos address.
• Misconception-focused Questions: Include questions in both pre- and post-viewing surveys that specifically target these misconceptions. This will allow you to measure whether the refutational approach effectively corrected these misunderstandings.

Control Group Comparisons:

• Non-Refutational Control Group: Have a control group that views standard informational videos (not using the refutational approach) about Cardano.
• Comparison of Results: Compare the change in understanding and attitude between the group that viewed the refutational videos and the control group. This will help isolate the impact of the refutational approach.

Qualitative Feedback:

• Participant Reflections: Gather qualitative feedback from participants on how the videos changed their understanding and whether the refutational approach was clear and convincing.
• Focus Groups or Interviews: Conduct focus groups or interviews with a subset of participants for more in-depth insights into the impact of the videos.

Engagement Metrics:

• We will publish our educational videos at track engagement metrics like views, likes, comments, and shares. While this isn't directly involved in our study, it will give some indication of the content's reach and engagement level.

Sharing the Results

• Community Dissemination: Share the findings with the Cardano community through various channels such as forums, social media, and community meetings. Focus on how the refutational approach can be effectively used in communication strategies.
• Academic Publication: Publish the detailed results in academic journals, providing a thorough analysis of how the refutational approach worked in the context of cryptocurrency education.
• Recommendations for Content Creators: Provide specific recommendations and guidelines for Cardano influencers and content creators, based on your findings, on how to effectively use the refutational approach in their own work.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our team is uniquely positioned to deliver on this project with high levels of trust and accountability, based on our combined expertise in educational psychology, technology program management, and content development.

Robert Danielson, an educational psychologist, brings over a decade of experience in using quantitative and qualitative research methods to address learning barriers. His work, backed by over 25 peer-reviewed publications and nearly $2m in funded projects, attests to his ability to handle complex research projects with professionalism and integrity. Furthermore, his recent work on conceptual change, which is central to our project, bolsters our capacity to tackle the specific challenges of this project. His most recent work includes a meta-analysis of studies leveraging refutational approaches to overcoming misconceptions (funded by the National Science Foundation) and a textbook chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Educational Psychology on teaching for conceptual change. 

Alexander James, with his extensive experience in technology program management and content development, strengthens our project's implementation side. His track record of driving successful technology adoption and value-realization projects, in various contexts from startups to government agencies, lends credibility to our capability to deliver. His graduate-level training in qualitative research methodologies further enhances our research capacity.

We both have a clear understanding of the importance of trust and accountability in projects, particularly in the crypto space where transparency is paramount. We are committed to maintaining open communication with the Cardano community, regularly updating them on our progress, challenges, and learnings. We are also open to undergoing any necessary reviews or audits to ensure the utmost accountability.

Finally, our shared passion for the Cardano ecosystem and belief in its potential to revolutionize the way we transact and interact assures our dedication to delivering a project that truly benefits the community.

[Project Milestones] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Development and Pilot Testing of Refutational Videos and Measurement Tools

Output: The first output will be the initial batch of refutational videos, designed to address common misconceptions about Cardano and cryptocurrency. Additionally, we will develop tools to measure learning, conceptual change, interest, motivation, and attitudes towards Cardano.

Acceptance Criteria:

a. Successful completion of this milestone will be confirmed by:Completion of at least three refutational videos.

b. Development of evaluation tools, including surveys and feedback forms.

c. Pilot testing these videos and tools with a small, targeted audience and gathering preliminary feedback.

d. Adjustments made based on pilot feedback to refine the videos and measurement tools.

Submission to University Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Human Subjects Approval

• Output: The key output for this milestone is the submission of all project materials, including video content, measurement tools, and research methodologies, to a University Institutional Review Board for review and approval. This is a crucial step for ensuring that the research involving human subjects is conducted ethically and in accordance with all applicable regulations and standards.

Acceptance Criteria:

1. Comprehensive Documentation: Complete and detailed documentation of the research proposal, including objectives, methodologies, tools, and participant engagement strategies, is prepared and submitted. This should include any surveys, interview questions, or other tools used to measure learning and conceptual change.
2. IRB Submission: Formal submission of all materials to the IRB, following the university's specific guidelines and requirements for research involving human subjects.
3. IRB Approval Confirmation: The milestone will be considered achieved upon receiving formal approval or clearance from the IRB. This confirms that the research methodologies and materials comply with ethical standards and are safe and appropriate for use with human participants.
4. Feedback Implementation: If the IRB requires any modifications or provides specific feedback, implementing these changes and resubmitting the revised materials (if necessary) will be part of this milestone.

This milestone is crucial as it ensures that the project adheres to ethical standards and gains the necessary approvals to move forward with human subject research, a critical component for the effective measurement of the project's impact on learning and attitudes towards Cardano.

Conducting a Randomized Control Trial

Output: The primary output for this milestone is the execution of a randomized control trial (RCT) to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of the refutational videos in facilitating conceptual change around Cardano. This involves:

• Recruiting a diverse participant pool.
• Randomly assigning participants to either the intervention group (who will view the refutational videos) or the control group (who will not view the videos or will view standard informational videos).
• Administering pre- and post-intervention assessments to measure changes in understanding, attitudes, and perceptions regarding Cardano and cryptocurrency in general.

Acceptance Criteria:

1. Participant Recruitment and Randomization: Successfully recruit a sufficient number of participants to ensure statistical validity. Randomize these participants into control and intervention groups in a manner that is both ethical and methodologically sound.
2. Implementation of Trial Protocol: Conduct the RCT according to the predefined protocol, ensuring all participants in the intervention group view the videos and those in the control group receive their designated content.
3. Data Collection: Collect pre- and post-intervention data using the developed measurement tools. This data should include, but is not limited to, knowledge assessments, attitude surveys, and behavioral indicators.
4. Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data to determine the effectiveness of the refutational videos. This involves comparing the pre- and post-intervention responses of both the control and intervention groups to assess any significant differences in learning outcomes and attitudinal changes.
5. Trial Completion Report: Compile a comprehensive report detailing the methodology, execution, data analysis, and findings of the RCT. This report should conclusively demonstrate whether the refutational videos were effective in achieving the desired conceptual change around Cardano.

This milestone is critical in providing empirical evidence for the project's effectiveness. Successfully conducting the RCT and analyzing its results will offer valuable insights into the impact of refutational video content on public understanding and attitudes towards Cardano, thereby informing future educational and marketing strategies within the ecosystem.

Academic Publication

Output: Submission of a comprehensive report or paper detailing the findings from the project, including the development and testing of videos, IRB approval process, and randomized control trial results, to academic conferences and peer-reviewed open-source journals.

Acceptance Criteria:

1. Preparation of Academic Paper: Complete a detailed paper or report suitable for academic review, including methodology, data analysis, and findings.
2. Submission to Conferences and Journals: Successfully submit the paper to selected academic conferences and journals for peer review.
3. Acceptance Confirmation: Receive confirmation of acceptance for publication or presentation. This may include receiving reviewers' feedback and making any necessary revisions.

Community Dissemination and Engagement

Output: Creating and distributing a summarized version of the findings and recommendations for the Cardano community, and engaging with Cardano influencers and content creators to spread the research-backed knowledge.

Acceptance Criteria:

1. Development of Community-Focused Materials: Prepare summarized, easy-to-understand materials or articles that convey the research findings and recommendations, tailored to the Cardano community.
2. Outreach to Cardano Influencers: Successfully reach out to and engage with major Cardano influencers, providing them with the research findings and encouraging them to use this information in their own content.
3. Feedback and Impact Assessment: Collect feedback from the community and influencers on the utility of the information provided. Evidence of the research being cited or used in community discussions or by influencers would further validate this milestone.

This milestone is crucial for translating the research findings into actionable knowledge that can benefit both the academic world and the Cardano community. By ensuring the outcomes are shared widely and effectively, the project's impact can be maximized, contributing to a more informed and engaged Cardano ecosystem.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Robert Danielson, PhD - Lead Researcher

Robert is an educational psychologist with over a decade of experience utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methods to eliminate learning barriers for students ranging from 7 to 55+ years old. With a track record that includes more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and close to $2 million in funding secured through the National Science Foundation and National Institutes for Health, he is poised to bring his rigorous research methodology and passion for education to this project. His latest contribution, a book chapter on teaching for conceptual change, is set to appear in the forthcoming iteration of the handbook for conceptual change. His responsibilities in this project will involve leading the research, designing the study methodology, analyzing the data, and preparing the reports.

Alexander James, MA - Technical Program Manager and Content Developer

Alexander brings to the table over a decade of experience as a technical program manager and content developer, having worked with technology teams in various settings, from start-ups and government agencies to large tech enterprises. He also holds a Master's degree with a focus on ethnographic and phenomenological research methodologies. His academic background augments his professional acumen, positioning him uniquely in leading successful technology adoption and value-realization projects. In this project, Alexander will play a pivotal role in technical program management, including planning, execution, and overseeing the development of content related to our research findings, in addition to consulting on qualitative research methods.

Both team members are deeply committed to the project and have been actively engaging with the Cardano community via Discord, ensuring a robust communication line with the necessary resources. We understand the Catalyst funding procedures and are prepared to go through the 'proof of life' verifications and meet any other requirements.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Cost Breakdown

Team Compensation:

• Team Members: 2 (Robert Danielson and Alexander James)
• Roles: Research and content development (Robert Danielson serving as lead researcher, Alexander James serving as the primary content developer)
• Total Compensation: $50,000
• Details: This amount covers the time and material costs for both team members for their roles over the duration of the project (5-6 months).

Incidental Costs:

• Study Participant Compensation: Incentives for participants in the randomized control trial, if applicable.
• Miscellaneous Services: This might include minor expenses for software tools (e.g., video editing, data analysis software), small-scale marketing efforts, and any other unforeseen costs.
• Total Estimated Incidental Costs: $5,500

Total Budget and Funding Request

• Total Budget: $55,500
• Funding Request in ADA: Approximately 100,000 ADA (valued at $0.37 USD per ADA)

Budget Allocation and Management

• Team Compensation: The bulk of the budget is allocated to team compensation, acknowledging the intensive effort and expertise required for research and content development.
• Incidental Costs: A smaller portion of the budget is reserved for incidental expenses, ensuring flexibility to cover participant incentives and other minor costs without exceeding the total budget.
• Budget Management: The team is committed to managing the budget effectively, with a focus on delivering high-quality research and content within the set financial constraints.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Expertise and Experience

• Team Expertise: Our team, consisting of Robert Danielson and Alexander James, brings over 20 years of combined experience in education, research, and technical program management.
• Hourly Rate Justification: We have estimated our effort at an hourly rate of $37. This rate is based on industry standards and is quite reasonable given our qualifications and the complexity of the work involved. For reference, the average hourly rate for professionals in our fields often exceeds $50-60 per hour.

Comparative Market Rates

• Market Comparison: The rate of $37/hour is competitive when compared to typical freelance rates in our industry, especially for projects involving specialized knowledge in both technology and education.
• Geographic Consideration: Our rate also takes into account the average wages in our region, aligning with the standard compensation for professional services of similar caliber.

Value to the Cardano Ecosystem

• Educational Impact: Our project aims to clarify misconceptions about Cardano and blockchain technology. This education is crucial for widespread adoption and understanding of Cardano, potentially leading to increased user engagement and investment.
• Long-Term Benefits: The content and research findings we produce will serve as enduring resources for the Cardano community, offering long-term educational value beyond the project's duration.
• Community Growth and Engagement: By educating a broader audience and correcting misconceptions, we contribute to growing the Cardano community, thus enhancing the ecosystem's vibrancy and diversity.

Efficient Budget Allocation

• Focused Expenditure: The majority of the budget is allocated to compensating the team for their time and expertise, ensuring high-quality output. The remaining budget covers incidental costs like participant incentives and software tools, reflecting efficient use of resources.
• No Extravagant Spending: There is no allocation for unnecessary expenses, underscoring our commitment to delivering value with a lean budget.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund Rules and also that data in the submission form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept