Dear Possible Participant:
 
This research is being conducted by Drs. Lynda Colgan and Nancy Dalgarno from the Queen’s Community Outreach Centre in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. This study has been granted clearance according to the recommended principles of Canadian ethics guidelines and Queen’s policies.
 
What is this study about? This study seeks to determine how youth, mentors and alumni describe the ways in which their experiences with the FIRST^® Robotics Canada programs have impacted their academic, developmental, and personal growth by detailing the context, content and goals of FIRST Lego League (FLL) and FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC) programs. Our goal is to assist decision-makers in planning and implementing future FIRST^® programs and to improve the outcomes for those served.
 
What does this study involve? This study will require completing a confidential online questionnaire. The questions will focus on what you perceive to be the impact of the FIRST^® Robotics FLL and/or FRC programs on academic, developmental and personal growth. It will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be administered between December, 2013 and February, 2014 at a time and location convenient for you. At the end of the questionnaire, you will also be invited to participate in one interview of approximately 60 minutes in length. It will take place between February and March, 2014 at a time and location convenient for you. It will be audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Should you participate in the interview in addition to the online questionnaire, your total time involved with this study will not exceed 75 minutes. You are entitled to participate in the FIRST^® Robotics Canada program without participating in this research study. There are no known physical, psychological, economic, or social risks associated with this study.
 
Why have you been selected for this study? You have been selected because you are a mentor of a FLL or FRC team.
 
Is my participation voluntary? Your participation is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw from the study at any time for any reason, without pressure or consequence of any kind, and you may request the removal of all or part of your data from the research. You should feel no obligation to answer any questions that you find objectionable or that make you feel uncomfortable. To withdraw from the research please contact the researcher Dr. Lynda Colgan (lynda.colgan@queensu.ca; 613-533-6000 ext. 75553).
 
What will happen to my responses? We will keep your responses confidential to the extent possible. Only the researchers will have access to this information. The data may be published in professional journals or presented at scientific conferences, but any such presentations will be of general findings and will maintain individual confidentiality to the extent possible. A pseudonym will replace your name on all data that you provide to protect your identity. The members of our research team will have access to the data after the pseudonyms have been inserted by the researcher who collected the data. If the data is made available to other faculty or researchers for secondary analysis it will contain no identifying information. The data will be retained for five years after which time it will be destroyed. Should you be interested, you are entitled to a copy of the findings. Please provide an email address or other contact information in the space provided at the end of the online questionnaire and a copy of the findings will be sent to you upon completion of this study.
 
Will I be compensated for my participation? You will not receive any compensation for your time.
 
What if I have concerns? Any questions about study participation may be directed to Dr. Lynda Colgan at lynda.colgan@queensu.ca or 613-533-6000 ext. 75553. Any ethical concerns about the study may be directed to the Chair of the General Research Ethics Board at chair.GREB@queensu.ca or 613-533-6081.
 
What do I do if I am interested in participating in this study? If you consent to participate, please continue with the survey. Otherwise, you may exit the survey now.
 
 
Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
 
Dr. Lynda Colgan                                                         
Coordinator, Community Outreach Centre                                                  
Faculty of Education, Queen's University

Dr. Nancy Dalgarno
Educational Researcher, Community Outreach Centre
Faculty of Education, Queen's University