Welcome to Avicenna! This guide will help you get started with the Avicenna participant app, from installation to daily usage. Whether you’re participating in a research study or just want to understand how the app works, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Getting Started
The Avicenna participant app is designed to make your research participation experience smooth and engaging. The app allows researchers to collect data through surveys, activities, and passive data collection from your device (all with your permission).
What You’ll Need
- A smartphone (iOS 12.0+ or Android 8.0+)
- A stable internet connection
- An email address for account creation
- The study invitation code from your researcher
Installing the App
Follow the steps below to install the app on your device:
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- Open the App Store on your iOS device
- Search for “Avicenna Research” in the search bar
- Tap “Get” button
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password
- Wait for the download to complete
- Tap “Open” when the installation is finished
Android
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device
- Search for “Avicenna Research” in the search bar
- Tap “Install”
- Accept permissions if prompted
- Wait for the download to complete
- Tap “Open” when the installation is finished
Alternative Installation (Android)
If you can’t find the app on Google Play Store, your researcher may provide you with an APK file:
- Enable “Unknown Sources” in your device settings
Go to Settings > Security > Unknown Sources
Toggle the switch to allow installation from unknown sources - Download the APK file from the link provided by your researcher
- Tap the downloaded APK file to install
- Follow the installation prompts
Creating Your Account
Get started by setting up your account with the following steps:
First Launch
- Open the Avicenna app on your device
- Tap “Sign Up” to create a new account
- Select “I am a Participant” when prompted
- Enter your information
- First name
- Last name
- Email address
- Password
- Confirm password
- Tap “Create Account”
Signing In
- Enter your email and password
- Tap “Log in”
Joining a Study
To join a study, use your invitation code and follow the steps below
Using an Invitation Code
- Log in to your Avicenna account
- Enter the registration code provided by your researcher
- Complete the eligibility survey
- Review the study information and consent form
- Tap Participate
Accepting Email Invitations
- Check your email for a study invitation from Avicenna
- Click the invitation link in the email
- Sign in to your Avicenna account
- Review and accept the consent form
Using the App
Next, learn how to complete surveys from your home screen, the home screen shows:
- Activities: Where you can view and track your study activities.
- Notifications Bar: Which displays alerts from the app.
- Settings Icon: Provides quick access to the app’s settings and customization options. You can find information by going to this.
Completing Surveys
You can complete the surveys by following steps below:
- Tap on a survey button
- Answer each question
- Tap “Submit” to complete the survey
Participant App Settings
The Settings page in the Avicenna participant app allows you to manage your account, customize your experience, control your data preferences, and more. To access the Settings page, tap on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the app.
[!note] Below, we will explain each of the available options in detail.
Join Study
The Join Study option allows you to enroll in research studies. After selecting, you will be prompted to enter a registration code. Once done, you will be added to the study, and will be able to begin participating.
Sync Data Completed
The Sync Data Completed notification indicates that your data has been successfully synced in the system. Selecting this option will also synchronize all data, ensuring that everything is up to date. Once the process is complete, you can continue using the app with confidence that your information has been saved.
My Studies
The My Studies tab provides an overview of all the studies you are currently enrolled in. Here, you can view study information and drop out from a study.
Color Theme
Supported in Android and iOS.
Avicenna allows you to personalize your experience by choosing from a selection of color themes within the mobile app. To do so, follow these steps:
- Open the Avicenna app on your mobile device
- Go to the Settings page
- Tap/click on Color Theme
- Select your preferred theme from the available options
Once you select a color theme, the app’s appearance will immediately update to reflect your choice throughout the app, including menus, buttons, and icons.
[!note]
Color theme changes are device-specific and will not sync across multiple devices.
The Avicenna app offers several visually distinct color themes, each with its own color palette.
- Ocean
- Forest
- Sunset
- Turquoise
- Violette
Account Information
In Account Information, you can review and update your profile details, such as your Email address, and phone number.
Email Address
Your email address is used as the main contact point for account access and notifications. If the address has not yet been verified, you will see a warning message.
To Verify your Email address:
- Select Verify
- Enter your password
- You will receive a verification code via email
- Enter the Verification code to finish the process
You can also update your email address by tapping Change. This requires re-entering your password to confirm your identity before the new address is saved.
Phone Number
Adding a phone number is essential if you want to receive SMS notifications or enable security features such as Two-Factor Authentication.
To add your phone number:
- Tap Add
- Verify your password
- And then enter your phone number
- You will receive a verification code on your phone
- Enter the verification code
Language
The Language setting allows you to choose the display language. Select from the available options to interact with the system in the language of your choice.
Notifications
The Notifications tab allows you to manage how and when you receive reminders related to your studies. You can customize the notification types, choose the delivery medium, and verify your contact details to ensure you never miss important updates.
Survey Notifications
Enabling this option ensures that Avicenna will notify you whenever a new survey is available or when a scheduled survey is due. These notifications act like reminders, helping you stay on track with your study tasks.
Sticky Notifications
If you prefer uninterrupted access while completing your surveys, you can enable Sticky Notifications. This feature allows you to perform study-related tasks directly without being interrupted by other notifications on your phone.
Mediums
Studies may use different communication channels to send notifications. Within this section, you can decide which mediums you want to enable or disable, depending on your preferences.
Email
Here, you can set your email address as a notification channel. Please note that your email must be verified to receive updates. If your email address is not verified, you will see a message prompting you to complete the verification process. Select Verify to receive a verification email and follow the instructions to complete the process.
SMS
To receive SMS notifications, you need to have a verified phone number linked to your account. If your phone number has not yet been added, you will be directed to the Account Information tab to complete this step. Once verified, SMS will be enabled as a valid channel for your notifications
Upload via Wi-Fi Only
By enabling Upload via Wi-Fi Only, your data will be synchronized exclusively when connected to a Wi-Fi network. This prevents the use of mobile data and helps manage connectivity costs.
Allow Data Collection
The Allow Data Collection option enables the system to gather the information required for your participation in studies. You can control this setting at any time depending on your privacy preferences.
Account Deletion
For a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to permanently delete your participant account and all associated data and what happens after, please refer to the Account Deletion documentation.
Sign Out
Selecting Sign Out will log you out of your account. You will need to re-enter your login credentials the next time you wish to enter your account.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
App Won’t Open
- Restart your device and try again
- Check for app updates in the app store
- Reinstall the app if the problem persists
Can’t Sign In
- Verify your email and password are correct
- Check your internet connection
- Try “Forgot Password” if you can’t remember your password
- Contact support if the issue continues
Surveys Not Loading
- Check your internet connection
- Close and reopen the app
- Try refreshing the survey page
- Contact your researcher if the problem persists
Notifications Not Working
- Check app permissions in your device settings
- Verify notification settings in the app
- Restart the app to refresh notification services
Privacy and Data
Your Rights
- You control your data - you can withdraw from studies at any time
- Your information is protected by strict privacy policies
- You can request data deletion at any time
Data Security
- All data is encrypted during transmission and storage
- Your personal information is kept confidential
- Researchers only see anonymized or aggregated data
- Your identity is protected throughout the research process
Tips for Better Participation
Stay Engaged
- Set daily reminders for study activities
- Complete surveys promptly when notified
- Keep the app updated for the best experience
- Check notifications regularly for important updates
Maximize Data Quality
- Answer surveys honestly - there are no wrong answers
- Complete activities fully when possible
- Report any issues to your researcher
- Keep your device charged for continuous participation
Communication
- Respond to researcher messages when possible
- Ask questions if something is unclear
- Report technical problems promptly
- Provide feedback on your experience
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss a survey or activity?
Don’t worry! Most studies allow you to complete missed activities later. Check your app for any overdue items.
How long do studies typically last?
Study duration varies widely - from a few days to several months. Your researcher will inform you of the expected timeline.
Can I withdraw from a study?
Yes, you can withdraw from any study at any time without penalty. Your data will be handled according to the study’s withdrawal policy.
Is my data safe?
Yes, Avicenna follows strict data protection standards and complies with relevant privacy regulations. Your data is encrypted and protected.
Need More Help?
If you have questions that aren’t covered in this guide:
- Check the FAQ section
- Contact your researcher for study-specific questions
- Email Avicenna support at support@avicennaresearch.com
- Visit our help center at forum.avicennaresearch.com
Thank you for participating in research with Avicenna! Your contribution helps advance scientific knowledge and improve health outcomes for everyone.