Pilot study

A pilot study was completed with a sample of children (n=32) in one of the intervention schools. A sub-sample of 5th class children were chosen from those who had agreed to take part in the HS evaluation and whose guardians had already provided consent. This age group were selected as it was believed that the older sample would be best able to discuss their views on the questionnaires with the researcher and recommend any necessary changes. This process informed a number of adaptations to the study. It was

97 decided, for example, that class teachers would not be present during data collection at any follow-up data collection stages. This was deemed appropriate in order to alleviate any performance pressure on the participating children which was observed during the pilot study. The research team wanted children to feel that completing the questionnaire was different to normal class work and if they did not want to take part, they could freely indicate their concerns to the researchers.

This pilot study also highlighted some individual differences between children in their ability to complete the questionnaires. The researcher consulted with a school-based Special Needs Assistant (SNA) to prepare for the main study and ensure adequate support would be provided to all children. Support researchers were also involved in the data collection to provide language assistance to children where necessary. Overall, the time taken for the majority of children to complete the assessment in the pilot study was deemed to be too long and, therefore, the Kidscreen-52 was substituted for the Kidscreen-27 and a number of questions on the HRBQ were removed or adapted. The pilot study also highlighted a number of additional language issues with some of the items on the survey. Minor changes to simplify some words in both the Kidscreen-27 and HRBQ were completed with the authors’ approval. Any minor revisions were completed prior to the administration of the questionnaire with the wider study sample. 5.1.5 Data collection procedure

Parents of children completing the questionnaires were furnished with information leaflets and given a period of at least seven days to consider their interest in the evaluation (Appendix 4.1). After this period of reflection, a detailed Information sheet and consent form were provided to families via their children (Appendix 4.1). Parents were also given contact details for the research team in case anyone wished to discuss the research further. Parents were informed of their right to withdraw their child from the study at any stage and without penalty. A copy of the questionnaire was left with the principal of each school and parents were informed that they may view this document should they so wish. Only children whose parents had returned completed consent forms were invited to take part.

A room was set aside in the school and the children completed the assessments in small groups (<10). Special needs assistants were available to the researcher throughout the data collection process to ensure that children had sufficient support. Children with

98 additional learning support needs were also highlighted to the researcher by members of the school team prior to the data collection process.

Children were seated in age-appropriate chairs and spaced far enough apart so that no responses could be read by another participant. Each participant was provided with a pencil, eraser and pencil sharpener. As children were settled, the questionnaire was explained in appropriate language. Issues of confidentiality were also explored and participants were informed that if anything arose which concerned the researcher; they were obliged to pass that information on to the school. The children were also informed that this was not a test and that they could withdraw at any time. A number of open- ended questions were asked by the researcher to encourage discussion and questions from the children about the questionnaire. Participants were also reminded that researchers were available at any time throughout the questionnaire administration should they have any further questions or concerns. If a child decided to withdraw from the study, their data were removed and their parental consent was overwritten so they were not requested to take part at the follow-up stage. Children were requested not to speak to each other during the data collection process so that participants could think about their answers.

The questionnaire took approximately 30 minutes to complete with time for breaks when required. The researcher went through the first two questions with the children to explain how they should fill it in. From that point on, the researcher routinely checked in with each child to ensure they had an opportunity to ask for assistance. Where children did require further support, additional support fieldworkers were available to sit with the child to help them complete the questionnaire. All fieldworkers were trained to give the participant as much privacy as possible to answer each question. A toy puzzle was provided to any child who had finished early so that all children had time to complete the questionnaire without feeling pressurised. Upon completion of the questionnaires, the children’s completed forms were placed in a large envelope and the participant was asked at an individual level how they found the questionnaire and whether they had any questions. When all the children returned their forms, the class was debriefed as a group and participants were asked what they thought about the questionnaire and an informal discussion took place. Participants were also encouraged to discuss the questionnaire with their teacher or family if they so wished. Finally the

99 participants were escorted back to their classroom where both the children and the teaching staff were thanked for their time. School staff were also provided with the researchers contact details should they have any further questions.

Prior to the follow-up data collection periods in year one and year two, information was sent to families reminding them of the study and again of their right to withdraw. The same procedure as outlined above was followed.