STUDENT SUPPORT (RE)DEFINED FOCUS GROUP
[COMMUNITY COLLEGE]
INFORMED CONSENT: PARTICIPANTS 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER
Dear Group Participant,
My name is (Name) and I am a senior researcher with the Research and Planning Group for California Community
Colleges (RP Group). I am conducting a research study entitled Student Support (Re)defined. The purpose of the
research project is to understand which types of support inside as well as outside of the classroom make a
difference to students like you.
Your participation will involve being part of a group discussion with 8 to 10 students. As part of this group, you will
be asked 6 to 8 questions, which will explore your thinking about student support that have made a difference for
you while you have been a student at [Community College]. The discussion will be audio-recorded to ensure your
statements are accurately summarized in the final report, which will incorporate your responses with those of your
fellow group participants. The results of the research study may be published but your identity will remain
confidential and your name will not be disclosed to any outside party.
Your participation is completely voluntary. It will require a total time commitment of 60 minutes. If you choose not to
participate or to withdraw from the discussion at any time, you can do so without penalty or loss of benefit to
yourself.
In this research, there are no foreseeable risks to you except possible loss of privacy or discomfort or anxiety due
to the personal nature of some of the questions asked. However, you can answer only those questions you choose
to answer, and can end your participation in the research at any time by simply leaving the room. Also, no names or
identities will be used in any published reports of the research and the researchers will begin the group discussion
by asking the participants to agree to the importance of keeping information discussed in the focus group
confidential. In fact, each participant will be asked to verbally agree to keep everything discussed in the room
confidential and not to discuss the materials outside of this group.
Although there may be no direct benefit to you, a possible benefit of your participation is that you may experience
increased connectivity to your community college peers and learn about supports and resources that can aid you in
realizing your educational goals. Also, you will be entered into a raffle to win a $50 Target gift card.
If you have any questions concerning the research study, please call [name of RP Group senior researcher] at
[phone number] or via email at [email].
“By signing this form you acknowledge that you understand the nature of the study, the potential risks to you as a
participant, and the means by which your identity will be kept confidential. Your signature on this form also indicates
that you are 18 years old or older and that you give your permission to voluntarily serve as a participant in the study
described.”
(
) I accept the above terms.
(
) I do not accept the above terms.
Signature of the interviewee ________________________________________ Date ______________
Signature of the researcher ________________________________________ Date _______________