Participant Information Sheet: What’s the point of science? Perceptions of pre-service science teachers about why science should be taught

Dear Participant

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 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.

 

What is the purpose of the study?

Views on why science should be taught differ, and the way we engage a diverse range of students also requires us to understand why they should devote their time and effort to learning science. In this study we hope to uncover the range of views held by both those involved in science education, with a broad range of background and experience. Our reported findings will be of use to teachers, curriculum writers, and any organisation or group involved in science education (including policy makers).

 

Why have I been chosen?

You have been chosen because as pre-service (in-training) teachers of science, it is important for you to reflect on why we teach science, and also for us to understand how those at the beginning of their teaching careers perceive the purpose of science and whether this evolves during your training year.

 

Do I have to take part?

It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part.  If you decide to take part you will be able to access this information sheet at any time and be asked to give your consent to participate in the survey and for us to use your responses at the beginning of the survey.  If you decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason, up until the time the researcher has processed the data (this will be by 31 August 2026).  A decision to withdraw at any time, or a decision not to take part, will not affect the standard of care you receive in any way.

 

What will happen to me if I take part?

If you decide to take part, you will be given this information sheet to keep and asked to sign the consent form.  This will give your consent to be invited to complete two online surveys each of which should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. The first will be administered in September, at the beginning of your training, and the second towards the end of the school year.

 

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?

There are no disadvantages or risks foreseen in taking part in the study. However, if you do have concerns about taking part in the survey or would like to discuss your responses, we would suggest contacting your PAT.

 

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

Your views will be beneficial to the whole science education community; our findings will be disseminated across the broader science education community, with teachers, with teacher educators, policy makers, and organisation involved in the support of science education.

Individually, answering these questions will hopefully provoke you to reflect on our purpose in teaching science, and may well enrich your own professional practice.

 

What if something goes wrong?

If you wish to complain or have any concerns about any aspect of the way you have been approached or treated during the course of this study, please contact:

 

Dean of School of Education

School of Education

University of Chester

Parkgate Road

Chester

CH1 4BJ

ahsresearch.innovation@chester.ac.uk

 

Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?

All information which is collected about you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential so that only the researchers carrying out the research will have access to such information. 

You are asked for the country in which you spent all or most of your education, which you are not obliged to give. This is so that we can explore any differences in your perceptions which may arise from your educational experiences in that country.

Your data will be stored and used in compliance with GDPR legislation and the University of Chester’s Data Protection Policy (https://chester.ac.uk/about/legal/privacy/data-protection-policy/).

 

What will happen to the results of the research study?

The data will be analysed, and then written up for publication is a science education journal. Findings will be presented at conferences and also shared with science education organisations.

 

Data collected from this project may be retained and published in an anonymised form.  By agreeing to participate in this project, you are consenting to the retention and publication of data.

 

Who may I contact for further information?

If you would like more information about the research before you decide whether or not you would be willing to take part, please contact:

 

Dr Mark Whalley

School of Education

University of Chester

Parkgate Road

Chester

CH1 4BJ

 

Email: mark.whalley@chester.ac.uk

 

The University does not accept responsibility for any harm experienced apart from that which is proven to have been caused through its negligence. In the unlikely event that you experience harm through your participation in the research, and this is due to the negligent conduct of the researchers, then you may have grounds to bring legal action. If you choose to bring such action, you may incur legal costs.

 

Thank you for your interest in this research.