Study Title: A Case Study in Perceived Self-Efficacy in Writing Center Consultant Training
Principal Investigator: Shaun White Co-Investigator: Dr. Bruce Ballenger This consent form will give you the information you will need to understand why this research study is being done and why you are being invited to participate. It will also describe what you will need to do to participate as well as any known risks,
inconveniences or discomforts that you may have while participating. I encourage you to ask questions at any time. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to sign this form electronically, and it will be a record of your agreement to participate. You will be given a hard copy of this form to keep.
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The purpose of this research is to examine and analyze writing consultants’ levels of Perceived Self-Efficacy (PSE) in order to gain an understanding of its interaction with specific tasks, timing, training, and demographic factors throughout the duration consultant training (i.e. ENGL303 and the internship). In short, PSE “refers to beliefs in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given attainment” (Bandura 1997). While learning and gaining new theories, methods, and practices in writing center work increases consultants knowledgeable, scholarship in psychology has proven that it is the individuals who perceive themselves as efficacious in specified tasks that are truly successful, and are able to accomplish goals and overcome obstacles.
Participants in this research are writing consultants in training, and they will be asked to fill out a demographic questionnaire one time, and a PSE scale four times throughout the duration of their training period. Consenting participants will later be asked to talk about their reported data from the PSE scales in follow-up
interviews during the spring 2014 semester. To protect your privacy, no real names will ever be used in the published research of this study.
PROCEDURES
If you agree to be in this study, you will participate in the following:
• Fill out ONE demographic questionnaire electronically (takes about five minutes)
• Fill out FOUR Perceived Self-Efficacy scales over the duration of the training period (PSE scales take approx. five to ten minutes to complete)
All PSE scales and the demographic questionnaire will be made available to participants through a link sent
to them by email
Interested participants will first be asked to provide names and preferred email addresses on a sign-up sheet during my visit to ENGL303. Next, interested participants will be invited through a link to a Qualtrics site where they will electronically give their signature (give consent) to participate in this study. Consenting participants will then be asked to electronically fill out a
demographic questionnaire (one time only), as well as their first PSE scale. Throughout the duration of the training period, participants will be sent
conformation emails as a reminder to fill out additional PSE scales on the same Qualtrics site. In the fourteenth week of the fall 2013 semester, participants will also be sent a new, electronic consent form that invites them to be participants in follow-up interviews during the spring 2014 semester.
RISKS
The survey will include a section requesting demographic information (i.e. gender, age, academic standing, major, previous writing consultant training, and multilingual experience). Due to the make-up of Idaho’s population, the combined answers to these questions may make an individual person identifiable. I will make every effort to protect participants’ confidentiality. However, if you are uncomfortable
answering any of these questions, you may leave them blank.
In the unlikely event that some of the survey or interview questions make you uncomfortable or upset, you are always free to decline to answer or to stop your participation at any time. Should you feel discomfort after participating and you are a Boise State University student, you may contact the University Health Services (UHS) for counseling services at (208) 426-1459. They are located on campus in the Norco Building, 1529 Belmont Street, Boise ID, 83706.
BENEFITS
Your participation could potentially help writing center directors and administrators to improve upon their consultant training programs, and help them to better
understand what factors influence and affect writing consultants’ perceived self- efficacy.
EXTENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Reasonable efforts will be made to keep the personal information in your research record private and confidential. Any identifiable information obtained in connection with this study will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your
permission or as required by law. The members of the research team and the Boise State University Office of Research Compliance (ORC) may access the data. The ORC monitors research studies to protect the rights and welfare of research participants.
Your name will not be used in any written reports or publications which result from this research. Data will be kept for three years (per federal regulations) after the study is complete and then destroyed.
PAYMENT
There will be no direct benefits to participants of this study in terms of payment or compensation.
PARTICIPATION IS VOLUNTARY
You do not have to be in this study if you do not want to. You may also refuse to answer any questions you do not want to answer. If you volunteer to be in this study, you may withdraw from it at any time without consequences of any kind or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions or concerns about your participation in this study, you may contact the Principal Investigator, Shaun White: 208-991-8417, or
[email protected]. Additionally, you may contact Dr. Balleneger, the Co- Investigator of this study at 208-426-7069, or [email protected].
If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact the Boise State University Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is concerned with the protection of volunteers in research projects. You may reach the board office between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, by calling (208) 426-5401 or by writing: Institutional Review Board, Office of Research Compliance, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725-1138.
DOCUMENTATION OF CONSENT
I have read this form and decided that I will participate in the project described above. Its general purposes, the particulars of involvement and possible risks have been explained to my satisfaction. I understand I can withdraw at any time.
Signature of Person Obtaining Consent Date