Suman Ghosh
UCL Institute of Education University College London 20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL Tel: 07941 560 596 Email: [email protected] [Date] Dear [……],
Re: ‘How can Secondary School Mathematics teachers situate real world equity issues in the classroom?
I am formally writing to invite you to participate in a study entitled:
‘How can Secondary School Mathematics teachers situate real world equity issues in the classroom?’
You have been chosen to be invited to participate in this study as you are a
Mathematics teacher in a secondary school. Further, it may be that your degree is not mathematics related and this is an important factor for the sample. Initially,
approximately 10 people will be included in the study.
I have included an information sheet about the study and your potential role. I have also included a consent form for you to send me if you agree to take part in the study. Once completed please email the consent form to the above address within the next two weeks.
I would very much appreciate your participation in this study.
Yours sincerely,
Participant Information Sheet UREC No 1423
‘How can Secondary School Mathematics teachers situate real world equity issues in the classroom?
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully. Talk to others about the study if you wish. Ask me if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part.
The study aims to investigate the place of real world equity issues (RWEI) when teaching mathematics in secondary schools. RWEI in the context of mathematics education are real world issues, which can be critically examined in the mathematics lesson and so allow pupils to be critically literate through mathematics. The study also aims to examine if mathematics teachers, from diverse academic backgrounds, have different pedagogical approaches relating to the place of RWEI in teaching mathematics in secondary schools. This will involve an audio interview with you and may be followed up by some joint lesson planning and classroom observations.
You have been chosen to be invited to participate in this study as you are a Mathematics teacher in a secondary school. Further, it may be that your degree is not mathematics related and this is an important factor for the sample. Initially, approximately 10 people will be included in the study.
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do, you will be given this
information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a consent form. You are still free to withdraw anytime up to the submission of the dissertation and without giving a reason. There are no consequences if you decide to withdraw.
If you are willing to participate, I will visit you at your school for an interview lasting approximately 30 minutes at a mutually agreeable date and time. During the interview, I will explore with you, your beliefs in relation to teaching mathematics and your opinions in relation to RWEI and their place in teaching secondary mathematics. For ease of later analysis, I will make audio recordings of the conversation with your permission as well as take notes. If you do not wish to be recorded but are still willing to participate, I will take notes only. Following the interviews I will ask some participants if they are interested in planning some mathematics lessons with a focus on RWEI and if it will be possible to observe the participant teach a lesson. Further I will also ask you to give me an anonymous sample of your assessment of pupils’ work from the lesson. I will be writing to your Headteacher to request permission to observe you in the classroom.
RWEI can be integrated into secondary school mathematics. Further, the information will be useful for secondary mathematics initial teacher training courses who are in interested in addressing RWEI as part of their programme.
You are free to withdraw from the study and not have your information included, at any time up to the time of completion of the dissertation. However, after that time, it would be
impossible for the researcher to comply. There are no consequences if you decide to withdraw.
All information received from you will be handled in a confidential manner and stored in a locked filing cabinet and on a password protected computer in an environment locked when not occupied. Only the researcher and supervisor will have direct access to the information. Any reference to you will be coded. This information will be held for four years after the study.
This study is being completed as part of a Doctorate in Education (EdD) at London South Bank University. It has been reviewed and ethically approved by the London South Bank University Research Ethics Committee.
If you have a concern about any aspect of this study, please do contact me (Suman Ghosh at 07941560596 or [email protected]). If you wish any further information regarding this study or have any complaints about the way you have been dealt with during the study or other concerns you can contact: Steve Lerman at 0207 815 7440, who is the Academic Supervisor for this study. You may also contact the University Research Ethics Committee
([email protected]) as someone who is not related to the study.
Finally, if you remain unhappy and wish to complain formally, you can contact the Chair of the University Research Ethics Committee (http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/research/governance/ethics)
UREC No 1423
‘How can Secondary School Mathematics teachers situate real world equity issues in the classroom?
WRITTEN CONSENT FORM:
University Research Ethics Committee No 1423
Title of Study: ‘How can Secondary School Mathematics teachers situate real world equity issues in the classroom?
Name of Participant:
· I have read the attached information sheet on the research in which I have been asked and agree to participate and have been given a copy to keep. I have had the opportunity to discuss the details and ask questions about this information · I agree that I will be interviewed and that the interview will:
(Please tick one box)
be recorded on an audio device be recorded in written note form
· The Researcher has explained the nature and purpose of the research and I believe that I understand what is being proposed
· I understand that my personal involvement and my particular data from this study will remain strictly confidential. Only researchers involved in the study will have access
· I understand that the data collected will be used for the purpose of the stated research and related follow up publications. All data will be anonymous. · I have been informed about what the data collected will be used for, to whom it
may be disclosed, and how long it will be retained
· I have received satisfactory answers to all of my questions
· I hereby fully and freely consent to participate in the study which has been fully explained to me
· I understand that I am free to withdraw from the study at any time, without giving a reason. There are no consequences to my withdrawing form the study.
Participant’s Name:(Block Capitals) ………..
As the Researcher responsible for this study I confirm that I have explained to the participant named above the nature and purpose of the research to be undertaken.
Researcher’s Name: ………..
Researcher’s Signature: ………..
Should you wish to contact someone not related to the study I have provided contact details of the University Research Ethics Committee ([email protected]) (Please sign both copies, keep one copy and send one back to me at Suman Ghosh, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL)
UREC No 1423
‘How can Secondary School Mathematics teachers situate real world equity issues in the classroom?