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Methodology – “Responses to Irrelevant and Alienating Science-Teaching”
TITLE:Responses to Irrelevant and Alienating Science-Teaching of Urban and Other Youth
PURPOSE
I propose to look critically at contrasting science teaching strategies for at risk youth (urban youth) in selected Canadian cities and in urban areas of cities in Spain and (potentially) other countries, and make inferences about the science/biology-teaching strategies in those contexts that appear to respond to the problem of alienation of urban and other young students.
METHODOLOGY
I plan to collect qualitative data through three one-hour semi-structured interviews with a number of interviewees (interviews will be guided by a questionnaire-attached-that will be used for possible written follow-up questions); perform data analysis by finding concepts that help understand the processes (conceptualization), organizing and sorting quotes from interviewees, listing concepts and relating one to another, producing typologies with the help of matrices (correlating quotes to themes); organizing and formatting the results; displaying the results; performing “prolonged engagement" (providing time to achieve the research objectives, learning the culture of the participants, testing for possible misinformation and building trust with interviewees); discussing, comparing and contrasting pertinent primary/secondary research literature; performing triangulation; developing and carrying out a plan to disseminate the study and developing adequate media to present the research. For more information on methodology, please refer to:
N. Hisada (Eds.), (2003). Shakai Fukushi no Kenkû Nyûmon [Introduction to Social Work Research]. (pp. 115-147) Tokyo: Chûô Hôki. English Version:
TYPE AND LOCATION OF DATA COLLECTION
The data collected will be based on semi-structured interviews (one hour each), personal conversations with interviewees as well as from written communications with some of them (following-up the meetings). In all cases there will be no audio-taping of conversations but I will employ consistent “member checks” by asking respondents to confirm information annotated during the interviews.
METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS
Comparative analysis and triangulation. Trend analysis and study of information gaps. Examining dependability and confirmability by linking "assertions, findings, and interpretations, and so on to the data themselves in readily discernible ways" (Schwandt, 1997, p. 164). Schwandt, T. A. (1997). Qualitative Inquiry: A Dictionary of Terms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
DISSEMINATION
Presentation of study at relevant international and national conferences on comparative education, secondary education and alternative education
BENEFITS TO PARTICIPANTS
Institutions, educators and policy makers will benefit by receiving a critical analysis of important aspects of their program and by accessing constructive recommendations for possible improvements in their program design and teaching.
OTHER
No commercial or personal gains intended in doing this study. My main intention: to contribute to the improvement of the education of the targeted students
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1.How will you recruit my participants?
By contacting those that would have already shown a desired to cooperate in the study.
2.How will I explain the purpose and nature of my research to prospective participants?
I will explain my plans through my initial contact with them as well as through an information letter 3. What steps will I take to obtain the free and informed consent of the participants? I will contact the participants first by phone and/or via electronic mail, and then by meeting them personally. During those communications I will discuss issues related to their free and informed consent and their right not to participate . I will also discuss the content of the letter of information/consent and explain to them, verbally, what is written and clarify the particular aspects of confidentiality and their right to withdraw from the study at any time without any penalty.
3.How will I provide opportunities for my participants to exercise the right to opt out without penalty, harm or loss of promised benefit?
I will explain to them via e-mail and in person as well as in the information letter about this right and I will ask them if there are any questions or concerns about this aspect of the research
4.(a) How will I address privacy, anonymity and confidentiality issues?
By using pseudonyms and by masking the information that could reveal personal or institutional identities in any public presentation or writing based on my research.
5.Will there be any risk, threat or harm to the participants or to others? No
6.How will I provide for security of the data during the study?
I will keep the data in safe storage in a locked box in my residence and I will keep electronic versions in a password-protected computer system.
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Model LETTER OF CONSENT
(to the interviewed)
Letter of Information/Consent
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I wish to invite you to participate in a research study that I am conducting on science/biology teaching and learning for youth at risk (urban youth). I propose to meet with you and ask you questions about science/biology teaching and learning in your experience. I am planning to meet with you about three times (about one-hour interviews).
The research will be conducted in a way that protects your anonymity and the identity of your school/educational institution. In order to protect your rights during the study, please be aware that you have the following rights:
•Not to participate.
•To withdraw at any time without prejudice to pre-existing entitlements, and to continuing and meaningful opportunities for deciding whether or not to continue to participate.
•To opt out without penalty and any collected data withdrawn from the data base and not included in the study.
•To privacy, anonymity and confidentiality
•To safeguards for security of data (data are to be kept for a minimum of 5 years following completion of research)
•To disclosure of the presence of any apparent or actual conflict of interest on the part of the researcher(s).
•To receive a copy of a report
I will keep all data collected for this research project in safe storage in a locked box in my residence, and I will keep electronic versions in a password-protected computer system. The data will be stored safely for five years.
The intended use of the study will be: Research articles and presentations. The data will be handled in compliance with the University of Alberta Standards for the protection of human research participants, specified by the Education, Extension, Augustana, Campus Saint Jean Research Ethics Board (EEASJ REB) (
The plan for this study has been reviewed for its adherence to ethical guidelines and approved by the Faculties of Education, Extension and Augustana Research Ethics Board (EEA REB) at the University of Alberta. For questions regarding participant rights and ethical conduct of research, contact the Chair of the EEA REB c/o Dr Jerome Kachur (see updated contacts at
Luis Alberto D'Elia
Adjunct A. Professor
In CANADA
3852 110 St. , Edmonton, AB
T6J 1E4
CANADA
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In SPAIN
Calle Bisbe Serra 16
Bloque C Piso 4, Puerta 6
Benicassim CP 12560
SPAIN