Participant Information Sheet for Questionnaire
1. Research project title
Investigation into experiences of learning mathematics and the impact on mathematics anxiety
2. Invitation
You are invited to participate in a study to investigate the impact of previous maths experiences
on students’ views and anxieties about maths/stats at university.
It is important that you understand why the research is taking place and what it will involve.
Please read the following information before deciding to take part. You are welcome to contact
us if you require any clarification or further information. The University of Sheffield Student
Services Ethics Committee have reviewed and approved this study.
3. What is the project’s purpose?
We are investigating how people’s prior experiences of learning mathematics have influenced
their attitudes to the subject. People often have a negative view of mathematics and this can
influence degree or module choices. Anxiousness about maths/stats can also affect a person’s
ability to study the subject effectively. Initial research suggests that a number of interventions
may reduce this anxiety and enable students to better cope with any maths/stats content of
their courses. We are in the process of producing materials for a workshop relating to these
strategies, which will be available soon, but at this point, we are interested in assessing the
prevalence of maths anxiety of University of Sheffield students and the factors which may have
influenced this anxiety. It is really important that we get the views of a wide range of people,
regardless of the level of anxiety or likelihood of studying any mathematics or statistics, in order
to study impacts effectively.
One of the key strategies is to use the free 1:1 service provided by the Maths and Statistics Help
centre (MASH) to aide understanding and ask questions throughout your maths/stats module or
dissertation. Previous students have also found peer-group learning helpful, so you may find
that coming to MASH in a group at a set time each week helpful. MASH is situated in the 301
Student Skills and Development Centre and the key MASH contact for this project is Ellen
Marshall (ellen.marshall@sheffield.ac.uk). I am happy to discuss the strategies for overcoming
maths anxiety, as well as providing help and advice with the material covered on your course
and all aspects of coursework and dissertations, ranging from study design to the analysis of
your data.
The research is based on an extensive literature review of material relating to the causes,
effects, and strategies to overcome maths anxiety. The questionnaire contains scales for
measuring specific mathematics anxiety, as well as general anxiety, which have been previously
used and scientifically validated, along with questions to investigate potential influences on
maths anxiety.
4. Why have I been chosen?
You have been approached to participate as you are a student studying at the University of
Sheffield. Previous research has suggested a large number of people suffer with some form
maths anxiety from every discipline, which is why we are asking everyone.
5. Do I have to take part?
Participation is entirely voluntary: if you change your mind about taking part in the study, you
can withdraw at any point during the survey. If you decide to withdraw after you have
submitted the questionnaire, please email Ellen Marshall (ellen.marshall@sheffield.ac.uk). You
are not required to give a reason for withdrawal and it will not affect the services you receive
from us. However, please note that removal of your results will only be possible whilst your
registration number is attached. The data will be anonymised prior to the analysis stage.
6. What do I have to do? / What will happen to me if I take part?
We just need you to fill in the questionnaire as honestly as possible. Do not spend too long
looking at the questions; just go with your initial response. The answers you give will not be
shared with your department or affect any services you receive.
7. What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
There is no risk of physical harm or distress as a result of participation in this study.
8. What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Realising that you may be suffering from maths anxiety and that are methods for overcoming
this anxiety so that you can succeed with any maths or stats within your course has shown to be
beneficial. You will also be entered into a prize draw with 5 prizes of £20 book vouchers
available. The draw will take place on 22nd January 2016, and the winners will be informed on
the day. The long-term benefit of this study is that the information provided will help us
produce effective material available to a large number of students, improve the service at MASH
and help inform lecturers on methods for reducing maths anxiety in the classroom.
9. What happens if the research study stops earlier than expected?
If the study needs to finish earlier, we will let the participants know as soon as possible.
10. What if something goes wrong?
If you have a complaint concerning your participation, please email Ellen in the first instance. If
however you would prefer to raise a complaint with someone else, please contact Amy Jeffries,
the Manager of 301 Student Skills and Development Centre, at a.e.jeffries@sheffield.ac.uk.
11. Will my taking part in this project be kept confidential?
Your registration number is needed to collect important demographic details and will be
removed from the data once the data collection is completed. You will not be identifiable in any
presentation or publications resulting from this study. As this is a Mathematics and Statistics
Help Centre study, your department is not involved and will not be informed of individual
participation.
14. What will happen to the results of the research project?
The results of the study will add to our understanding of mathematics education and maths
anxiety. We will disseminate our findings through presentations and publications. We will also
use the findings to refine the help offered by MASH.
15. Who is organising and funding the research?
The research is supported by MASH as part of its evaluation and improvement processes.
16. Who has ethically reviewed the project?
The Student Services Ethics Committee have reviewed and approved the study, see
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/other/gov-ethics/ethicspolicy/furtherguidance/universityprocedure2/student-services for the process involved.
For further details, please contact Louise Knowles, Head of the Counselling Service, at
UCS@sheffield.ac.uk.
17. Contact for further information
Lead Researcher
Mrs Ellen Marshall
Mathematics and Statistics Help Centre
301 Glossop Road
SHEFFIELD, S10 2HL
ellen.marshall@sheffield.ac.uk
0114 222 1745