Students’ perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of technology in their Doctoral studies.

Students’ perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of technology during their Doctoral studies.

You are being invited to take part in a research study. This study will investigate the role of technology on doctoral students’ perceptions of success in study. Before you decide to do so, 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 and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us 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.

Thank you for reading this. 

This research will focus on exploring the effects of use of technology on students’ perceptions of their success in their research. There are certain factors which contribute towards student progress and persistence to complete their course. The investigation of the perceived effects of technology upon learning can help us to advise students on possible ways to improve the process of learning and producing research. We hope this will help to increase chances of success in completing their doctoral studies.

Please note that participation in this project is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw from this study at any time. This will have no adverse effects on any aspect of your course. Participation in this study will initially involve completion of this online survey with (later) options to participate in a focus group and interview. 

The online survey will take around 30-35 minutes

All participant personal details will be kept confidential by the allocation of an anonymous ID number.  Personal data will be destroyed at the end of the study.

Statement on confidentiality as required by the University Ethics Committee: 

Confidentiality will be respected unless there are compelling and legitimate reasons for this to be breached. If this were the case, we would inform you of any decisions that might limit your confidentiality.

All research data from this project will be stored securely and used only for this study. It will be destroyed ten years after the completion of the study. The data will be used to write academic papers and to complete a Ph.D. thesis.  

This project has been considered and approved by the University of Glasgow College Research Ethics Committee.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Naveed Akbar (m.akbar.1@research.gla.ac.uk)

or

Dr David Morrison-Love (david.morrison-love@glasgow.ac.uk).

In the events of any complaint please contact the College of Social Sciences Ethics Officer, Dr Muir Houston, email: Muir.Houston@glasgow.ac.uk

Consent Form

• I confirm that I have read and understood the Participant Information Sheet (above) for the study and have had the opportunity to ask questions.

• I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving any reason.

• I acknowledge that participants will be referred to by pseudonym in any publications. In stored data participants will be referenced using anonymous IDs.

• I acknowledge that there will be no effect on my grades arising from my participation or non-participation in this research.

All Personal data will be treated as follows:

• All names and other material likely to identify individuals will be anonymised.

• The material will be treated as confidential and kept in secure storage at all times.

• The material will be destroyed once the project is complete.

• Confidentiality will be respected unless there are compelling and legitimate reasons where confidentiality may be impossible to guarantee. If this were the case, we would inform you of any decisions that might limit your confidentiality.