Dear
I am doing a research project for a Master of Education at Massey University. I am going to look at how the mathematical activities children work on in the classroom help them develop their number and algebra understandings.
I would like to invite you with your parent's permission to be involved in this study. Ella, your teacher, has also agreed to participate in the study. The Board of Trustees has also given their approval for me to invite you to participate, and for me to do this research.
If you agree to be involved, I will interview you about your number and algebra understandings. There will be two interviews: one at the beginning of the year and one at the end of the first term. They will be like the interviews we do for the Numeracy Project. The time involved in the interview will be no more than 20 minutes. The interview will be tape-recorded and you may at ask that the tape recorder be turned off and that any comments you have made be deleted if you change your mind or are not happy about what you said.
Ella and I will plan a unit of mathematics based on what we have learnt about how you think about number and algebra. The lessons will be taught in your classroom and will be audio and video recorded. During classroom mathematics activities you may at any time ask that the audio or video recorder be turned off and any comments you have made deleted. With your permission I might sometime collect copies of your mathematics reflections, written work and charts you make to support your explanations to the group during the unit. You have the right to refuse to allow the copies to be taken.
The mathematics activities you do in class will be the same whether you agree to be in the study or not. The interview and observations will take place in the classroom and be part of the normal mathematics programme. It is possible that talking about your learning may help you clarify what you know about number and algebra and what you need to know next.
All the information gathered will be stored in a secure location and used only for this research. After the completion of the research the information will be destroyed. All efforts will be taken to maximise your confidentiality and anonymity which means that your name will not be used in this study and only non-identifying information will be used in reporting. However total anonymity cannot be guaranteed due to my position as both a researcher and current member of staff.
I ask that you discuss all the information in this letter fully with your parents before you give your consent to participate.
Please note that you have the following rights:
x To say you do not want to participate in the study
x To withdraw from the study at any time
x To ask for the audio or video recorder to be turned off and any comments you have made be deleted
x To refuse to allow copies of your written work to be taken
x To ask questions about the study at any time
x To participate knowing that you will not be identified at any time
x To be given a summary of what is found at the end of the study
If you have further questions about this project you are welcome to discuss them with me personally:
Jodie Hunter. Phone: (09) 846 0721. Email. [email protected]
or contact my chief supervisor at Massey University (Palmerston North)
x Associate Professor Glenda Anthony: School of Curriculum and Pedagogy. Phone: (06) 350 5799 Extension 8600. Email. [email protected]
This project has been reviewed and approved by the Massey University Human Ethics Committee: Southern B, Application 06/57. If you have any concerns about the conduct of this research, please contact Dr Karl Pajo, Chair, Massey University Human Ethics Committee: Southern B, telephone 04 801 5799 x 6929, email
THIS CONSENT FORM WILL BE HELD FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS
I have read the Information Sheet and have had the details of the study explained. My questions have been answered to my satisfaction, and I understand that I may ask further questions at any time.
I agree/do not agree to being audio-taped I agree/do not agree to being videotaped
I agree/do not agree to participating in this study under the conditions set out in the Information Sheet.
Child’s Signature: Date:
Full Name - printed
CONSENT FORM: PARENTS OF STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
THIS CONSENT FORM WILL BE HELD FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS
I have read the Information Sheet and have had the details of the study explained. My questions have been answered to my satisfaction, and I understand that I may ask further questions at any time.
I agree/do not agree to_______________________________________ being audio-taped I agree/do not agree to_______________________________________ being videotaped
I agree to ____________________________________________________ participating in this study under the conditions set out in the Information Sheet.
Parent’s Signature: Date:
Full Name - printed