HREA Approval No: 14.152
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION STATEMENT AND CONSENT FORM
Japanese Language Learners’ Career Pathways beyond Schools and Universities
Chihiro Thomson
Introduction
You are invited to take part in this research project, which is called Japanese career pathways project. You have
been invited because you have studied Japanese in school or university in the past.
This Participant Information Sheet/Consent Form tells you about the research project. It explains the processes
involved with taking part. Knowing what is involved will help you decide if you want to take part in the research.
What is the purpose of this research?
This project attempts to portray some sample career pathways of those who studied Japanese in Australian schools
and universities. The “Life Stories” collected will help us understand what happens to our students after they leave
schools and universities, and help current and future learners of Japanese envisage future life after learning
Japanese.
Why have I been invited to participate in this research?
You have been invited to participate in this study because you have studied Japanese in Australian schools and or
universities and you are currently working in Japan.
Description of study procedures and risks
If you decide to participate, you will be interviewed by a researcher at a location of your convenience. The interview
will be audio recorded with your permission. The interview will take about one hour. In the interview, you will be
asked to share your stories in relation to learning Japanese and working in Japan. A few days after the interview,
you will be asked either to meet again or over email to check the transcript of the interview to correct or comment
on it.
We do not foresee any risk associated with the procedures.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
We cannot and do not guarantee or promise that you will receive any benefits from this study.
What are the alternatives to participation?
It is possible to arrange a skype meeting for the interview, although it is not ideal.
Participation in this research is voluntary. If you don’t wish to take part, you don’t have to. Even if you are a
graduate of UNSW, you have no obligation to participate in this research. Your decision not to participate will
not affect your future relations with the University of New South Wales or with the researcher, Professor Chihiro
Thomson.
Confidentiality and disclosure of information
Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and that can be identified with you will remain
confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission, except as required by law. If you give us your
HREA Approval Number: 14 152
Version dated: 25/11/14
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permission by signing this document, we plan to discuss/publish the results at a conference of the Japanese Studies
Association of Australia and in its journal, Japanese Studies, at a conference of the Applied Linguistics Association
of Australia, and in its journal, Australian Review of Applied Linguistics and such. In any publication, information
will be provided in such a way that you cannot be identified.
Recompense to participants
There will be no remuneration or cost involved in this research participation.
Complaints
Complaints may be directed to the Ethics Secretariat, The University of New South Wales, SYDNEY 2052
AUSTRALIA (phone (02) 9385 4234, fax (02) 9385 6222, email humanethics@unsw.edu.au. Any complaint you
make will be investigated promptly and you will be informed out the outcome.
Feedback to participants
When papers arising from the research fingings are published, they will be made available to you via email
notification.
Your consent
Your decision whether or not to participate will not prejudice your future relations with the University of New South
Wales and Professor Chihiro Thomson. If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw your consent and to
discontinue participation at any time without prejudice.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us. If you have any additional questions later, Professor Chihiro
Thomson c.thomson@unsw.edu.au (phone 08097133342 in Japan; 0293853753 in Australia) will be happy to
answer them.
You will be given a copy of this form to keep.
HREA Approval Number: 14 152
Version dated: 25/11/14
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THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION STATEMENT AND CONSENT FORM (continued)
Japanese Language Learners’ Career Pathways beyond Schools and Universities
Chihiro Thomson
Declaration by Participant
I have read the Participant Information Sheet or someone has read it to me in a language that I understand.
I understand the purposes, procedures and risks of the research described in the project.
I have had an opportunity to ask questions and I am satisfied with the answers I have received.
I freely agree to participate in this research project as described and understand that I am free to withdraw at any
time during the project without affecting my future care.
I understand that I will be given a signed copy of this document to keep.
……………………………………………………
Signature of Research Participant
.…………………………………………………….
Signature of Witness
……………………………………………………
(Please PRINT name)
.…………………………………………………….
(Please PRINT name)
……………………………………………………
Date
.…………………………………………………….
Nature of Witness
HREA Approval Number: 14 152
Version dated: 25/11/14
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REVOCATION OF CONSENT
Japanese Language Learners’ Career Pathways beyond Schools and Universities
Chihiro Thomson
I hereby wish to WITHDRAW my consent to participate in the research proposal described above and understand
that such withdrawal WILL NOT jeopardise any treatment or my relationship with The University of New South
Wales, or with Professor Chihiro Thomson
……………………………………………………
Signature
.…………………………………………………….
Date
……………………………………………………
Please PRINT Name
The section for Revocation of Consent should be forwarded to:
Professor Chihiro Thomson
Until February 22, 2015
104 Otsuka Shukusha
2-1-22 Otsuka Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 112-0012 Japan
After February 23 2015
School of Humanities and Languages
UNSW Australia
Sydney NSW 2051 Australia
c.thomson@unsw.edu.au
HREA Approval Number: 14 152
Version dated: 25/11/14
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