STAK

Informed Consent Form – Participant

Research Background

This research is being conducted by Theresa Doyle in the School of Computer Science and Statistics and forms part of her Ph D.The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how a dual-adaptive learning system matches child profiles with appropriate educational resources and teaching strategies, while simultaneously providing carers, using those recommended strategies, with support at levels consistent with their own profiles, to enable them to develop social skills in children with ASDs and meet their individual needs.

As a carer you will be asked to comment on the effectiveness of this learning tool and the suitability of the supports and resources it offers.

During the research the learning system will record your prior knowledge of the seven teaching strategies, and children’s skill levels, learning styles, language and comprehension abilities and special interests but no personal details will be stored. The system will keep a track of all the carers’ interactions with the system to monitor the supports and resources downloaded for use. All of this data will be anonymised so it will not be possible to trace any private personal details back to the individuals involved.

There are no anticipated risks to your involvement in this research. It is envisaged that during the project you will not only experience a learning tool which will be helpful to you in your work but also collaborate and share your experience with other carers. Individual results will be aggregated anonymously and research reported on aggregate results.

The documentation of the findings will be published and disclosed to a body of examiners in Trinity College Dublin as well as external examiners. There may be lectures, Ph D theses, conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal articles written as a result of this project. Extracts of data may be used in these lectures etc but under no circumstances will identities of carers or children be made known.

Declaration

• I am 18 years or older and am competent to provide consent
• I have read, or had read to me, this consent form. I have had the opportunity to ask questions and all my questions have been answered to my satisfaction and I understand the description of the research that is being provided to me
• I agree that my data is used for scientific purposes and I have no objection that my data is published in scientific publications in a way that does not reveal my identity
• The researcher will not reuse my data for any other purpose than those outlined in the information sheet
• Any observational sessions will be carried out only with my prior consent
• All recordings (ie audio, video and photographs) will not be identifiable
• Either I must obtain written permission from the parents of the children concerned in advance or, in the case that I am the child’s parent, confirm my permission each time I wish to include any photographs or other personalized material to individualize educational resources
• I freely and voluntarily agree to be part of this research study, though without prejudice to my legal and ethical rights
• I understand that I may refuse to answer any question and that I may withdraw at any time without penalty
• I understand that my participation is fully anonymous and that no personal details about me will be recorded
• if I decide to withdraw from the project, all collected information from my participation will be removed and will not be included in the research documentation
• I may attend a debriefing where I shall be given an opportunity to examine how my contributions to the study have been used and interpreted, and to ensure that my contributions have not been used inaccurately or out of context
• Alternatively, I may email the researcher requesting a copy of the findings and/or the dissertation after the project has been completed
• I understand that if I or anyone in my family has a history of epilepsy then I am proceeding at my own risk
• I shall declare any conflict of interest with this research
• If any illicit activity is reported during this project that the researcher is obliged to report it to the appropriate authorities
• I understand that everyone concerned in this project will treat the data compiled with confidentiality, including examiners who will be marking this dissertation.
• I have received a copy of this agreement

PARTICIPANT’S NAME:_________________________________________________________________________

PARTICIPANT’S SIGNATURE:____________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________________________________

Statement of researcher’s responsibility: I have explained the nature and purpose of this research investigation, the procedures to be undertaken and any risks that may be involved. I have offered to answer any questions and fully answered such questions. I believe that the participant understands my explanation and has freely given informed consent.

RESEARCHER’S CONTACT DETAILS:____________________________________________________________

RESEARCHER’S SIGNATURE:____________________________________________________________________

Date:________________________________________________________