(You will be asked to sign a copy of this consent form at the focus group)
Creative Evaluation Study, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Victoria
Maureen Bradley, principal investigator
Information Letter/Consent Form
Invitation: You are being invited to participate in the research project described below.
Title: Creative Evaluation: Learner-Centred Evaluation in the Fine Arts
Funding: This project is funded by a Learning and Teaching Development Grant from the University of Victoria
Purpose of the study: This project will develop models for alternative evaluation of creative work within studio/workshop areas of undergraduate Fine Arts post-secondary education. This study seeks to examine whether the viability of alternative evaluation to what is currently used in the Faculty. Please see attached for specific focus group questions.
Procedures involved in the research: Research will be gathered through a literature review and using qualitative research via focus groups.
Potential Risks: Few if any risks to participants have been identified. However, you may be with a group of people you know and you may find it uncomfortable to express some of your opinions. However, you are not obliged to discuss anything that makes you uneasy and you are free to leave the focus group session at any time without prejudice or consequence — no questions asked.
Potential Benefits: BASED ON AN EXTENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW, THE RESEARCHERS HAVE DETERMINED THAT LITTLE TO NO RESEARCH EXISTS IN THIS AREA INQUIRY. AS SUCH, THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE NEW KNOWLEDGE. ON A MORE IMMEDIATE LEVEL, FACULTY AND STUDENTS IN FINE ARTS AT UVIC MAY OBTAIN MORE TRANSPARENT MODES OF STUDENT-CENTRED EVALUATION AND FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS MAY DIRECTLY INFLUENCE EVALUATION METHODOLOGY IN THE FACULTY OF FINE ARTS.
Confidentiality: Anonymity and confidentiality cannot be guaranteed through the focus group itself because participants will hear one and other's responses. However, the focus group leader to come up with some agreed upon parameters such as not identifying a particular participants name or response outside the focus group room. The focus groups will be taped but names will not be used during the discussion and the transcriber will not attach any names to any comments. The written transcript, signed consent forms and audio tapes will be stored in a locked filing cabinet in the researchers office and destroyed after five years. Any email correspondence incoming and outgoing will be erased from the computer on the day of the focus group.
Participation and Withdrawal: Participation is voluntary and participants may withdraw from the discussion at any time by leaving the room without consequence or prejudice — no questions asked.
Information about the results of the research and dissemination of results:
Ethics Clearance:
This project has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Victoria Research Ethics Board. If you have any concerns or questions about your involvement in the project and/or your questions regarding your rights as a research participant, please contact:
All participants will be given a signed copy of this consent form for their records.
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CONSENT
I have read the information presented in this letter regarding the research being conducted by Maureen Bradley of the University of Victoria. I have had the opportunity to ask questions about my involvement in this focus group and to receive additional details I wanted to know about the focus group. I understand that I may withdraw from the focus group by leaving the room at any time over the next ninety minutes. I agree to participate in this focus group. I have been given a copy of this form.
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Name of Participant Date
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Signature of Participant
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Name of Witness Date
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Signature of Witness