Student Assent Form
Dear Student,
My name is Scott M. Zgraggen and I am a graduate student at Arcadia University. I am completing a study at Springfield Township High School and I am trying to understand which teaching approach is better for students studying college preparatory chemistry: Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) developed by the POGIL project, or the Independently
Developed Guided Inquiry Method (InDGIM) developed by the instructors at your high school. I am asking for your permission to use the results of two tests Mr. Britton and I will be asking you to take on the computer. Everyone will be taking the tests; I am asking that you allow me to keep the results of your test to use in my research. The first test everyone will take is labeled the Group Assessment of Logical Thinking (GALT) and the second is labeled the Particulate Nature of Matter Assessment (ParNoMA2). I will also be asking for your permission to be given access and to use your proficiency rating on the Keystone Algebra I and Biology tests as well as final performance grades earned on unit tests and quizzes in this Chemistry class for the purposes of my research. This information, along with your gender, will be analyzed to determine if there is a greater gain with one instructional approach or the other, and to see what variables, if any, have an effect on the results.
Participation is strictly voluntary, which means you do not have to take part if you don’t want to. Please remember that when I say “participating," it means that you allow me to use the results of the assessments I discussed, for my research. Everyone will be participating in the assessments. Again, participating in this study is strictly voluntary, which means you do not have to take part if you don't want to. Nothing will happen to you if you decide not to participate. Participating in this study will not affect your grade or how your teacher, or your school treats you. You can ask questions about this study at any time.
If you agree to participate you will first need to obtain your parents’ or guardians’ consent. Everyone is asked to take a letter explaining the research home to your parents or guardians. They should have already received one in the mail. You are not allowed to participate unless your parents or guardians grant their consent. This letter should be signed, brought back, and given to Mr. Britton before the start of class within the next two days.
Once your parents or guardians grant their consent, your scores from the two computerized tests, Keystone Algebra I and Biology scores, and grades on in-class tests and quizzes will be used in my research. All scores will be reported to me by Mr. Britton using your school ID number so that confidentiality may be maintained.
PARTICIPATING:
Please read the following and sign below if you agree to participate. I understand that:
if I don’t want to take the computerized tests that’s ok and I won’t get into trouble anytime that I want to stop participating in this study that’s ok my name will not be known and my answers will be completely private by signing this I WILL participate in the study
Signature:_____________________________________________________________________ Name: (please print) ____________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________
There are two copies of this letter. After signing them, keep one copy for your records and return the other one. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.
For further information regarding this research please contact: Dr. Steve Gulkus at [email protected] or at (215) 572-2120 Mr. Scott M. Zgraggen at [email protected] or at (215) 233-6030
If you have any questions about your rights as a participant you may contact the Arcadia University Institutional Review Board at (215) 572-2900.
NOT PARTICIPATING:
Please sign below if you WILL NOT participate. I understand that:
by signing this I WILL NOT be participating in the study
Signature:_____________________________________________________________________ Name: (please print) ___________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________
Assent Classroom Script
(distribution of forms)
Hello, my name is Mr. Scott M. Zgraggen and I am a graduate student at Arcadia University. As part of my studies in Educational Leadership, I am completing a study at Springfield Township High School and I am trying to understand which teaching approach is better for students studying college preparatory chemistry: Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) developed by the POGIL project, or the Independently Developed Guided Inquiry Method (InDGIM) developed by the instructors here at your high school.
Distribute Informed Consent Form
Please take this Informed Consent form home and review it with your parents or guardians. If your parents or guardians do not want you to participate in this study, then do not return the consent form. If they give permission for you to participate, they must sign the form and you can return it to Mr. Britton at the beginning of class within the next two days. If your parent/guardian does not give permission for you to participate, then you cannot participate.
Distribute Student Assent Form
This form is the Student Assent Form. This form asks for your own permission to participate in the study. If your parent or guardian has not given permission for you to participate, then you will not be able to participate. Please remember that when I say “participating," it means that you allow me to use the results of the assessments I discussed, for my research. Everyone will be participating in the assessments. Again, participating in this study is strictly voluntary, which means you do not have to take part if you don't want to. Nothing will happen to you if you decide not to participate. Participating in this study will not affect your grade or how your teacher, or your school treats you. You can ask questions about this study at any time.
If you agree to participate you will first need to obtain your parents’ or guardians’ consent. Everyone is asked to take a letter explaining the research home to your parents or guardians. They should have already received one in the mail. You are not allowed to participate unless your parents or guardians grant their consent. This letter should be signed, brought back, and given to Mr. Britton before the start of class within the next two days.
Once your parents or guardians grant their consent, your scores from the two computerized tests, Keystone Algebra I and Biology scores, and grades on in-class tests and quizzes will be used in my research. All scores will be reported to me by Mr. Britton using your school ID number so that confidentiality may be maintained.
Please fill out the Student Assent Form now.
Collect Student Assent Form
Thank you for your time and willingness to participate. Please review the Informed Consent Form with your parents tonight. If you have any questions later on you may reach me by email at