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Invitation to Participate in a Research Study
Hello! My name is Karen Heath, and I am the Clarinet Teacher and Wind Ensemble Director at Eltham High School. I am studying a Doctor of Musical Arts degree through Boston University, and as part of my work, I am running an observational study on how students learn when they are first beginning an instrument.
Since you are involved in the Year 7 Training Band Program at Eltham High School, I am inviting you to be part of this study. If you would like to be involved, then I will need your assent as well as consent from a parent/guardian.
What is assent?
To give assent is basically the same as giving consent – that is, you willingly agree to an activity – but for people under the age of 18. If you choose to participate in this study and give your assent, that means you are agreeing that you are willing to participate in this study.
If you provide your assent to participate in this study, it is important that I also seek consent from your parents before proceeding with the study.
What will I do if I am in this research study?
If you decide to be in this study, I will ask you to take part in a few short questionnaires, give a verbal description of your experiences learning your instrument as a “video diary”, and to otherwise simply keep attending your music lessons and Training Band rehearsals at school. Mostly, you will be observed while learning your instrument.
The activities in this study will be conducted across seven weeks, however, these weeks may not be consecutive. There might be breaks in between due to other school activities, for example.
It is possible that the total length of time for the study could be longer than seven weeks.
What is a Research Study?
Research studies help us to learn new things and test new ideas. People who work on research studies are called researchers. During research studies, the researchers collect a lot of information so that they can learn more about something. I am doing this study because I would like to learn more about how new music students learn when they first start lessons and band rehearsals on their instrument.
I am asking you join this study because you have started to learn a musical instrument this year.
Things to know about this study
You get to decide if you want to be in the study
You can say “No” or “Yes"
Whatever you decide is OK
If you say “Yes” now, you can change your mind and say “No” later
No one will be upset if you say “No”
You can ask me questions at any time about the study
We will also get permission from your parent/guardian for you to take part in this study
Research study timeline
Video Taping
I will video the observation sessions that are part of this study. This will help me to remember what happened in the session. The only people that will be able to see the video recordings will be myself and my university supervisor (teacher).
What else could happen to me while I am in this study?
You might find it a bit uncomfortable to talk about your learning experiences in front of a camera, however, it is important to remember that there is no “wrong” answer. I am looking for information about your experiences as you can best describe them.
I will need to ask you some questions through a short questionnaire. They might require a bit of extra thinking time or feel hard to answer, but just doing your best will be enough.
If I join this study, will it help me?
This study is observational, so there is no extra special music training as such. However, this study will help me to learn more about memory and cognition when playing a musical instrument. This study will be published and could help music teachers and students in the future.
Will I be paid to do this study?
For all students who are involved, I am offering a small token of thanks by way of a $5.00 credit at the school canteen at the conclusion of the study.
Do I have to take part in this research study? What if I don’t want to do it? What if I start but then change my mind?
You do not have to take part in this research study. You can say “Yes” or “No”. You can say “Yes” now and change your mind later. All you have to do is tell me you want to stop. Nobody will be upset if you don’t want to take part in the study or if you change your mind about taking part in the study. Your parent or guardian can also decide to have you stop taking part in this study—that is OK too.
I have more questions!
If you have any questions about this study, please feel free to ask me. My email is HEH@elthamhs.vic.edu.au, or you can drop into Room 311 in the Music Department, which is my clarinet teaching room.
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