IRB Application

1. Briefly describe the background and purpose of the research.

Networked technology promotes learning profoundly. People are still in the stage of exploring the effective use of the electronic learning tools. The purpose of this research is to conduct an in-depth qualitative case study of students’ and teachers’ attitudes towards and their perceptions of the effective use of the Lotus LearningSpace. “In education, there is a large gap between research findings and their applications in day-to-day practice” (U.S. Congress, 1995, p. 6). This research emphasizes collecting data from the learning activities in the Lotus LearningSpace through a qualitative research paradigm, so that the research findings and conclusion can be more evenly geared to the current electronic learning practice.

1. Describe the subjects of this study.

There are approximately forty student participants, two teacher participants

chosen from two university courses, and three LearningSpace-related network administrators for this study. There are ten interviewees from the forty students, two interviewees from the two faculty, and three interviewees from the three network administrators. The interviewees from the students are chosen from the focused group or “targeted population,” that is, “the interviewees should represent the range of points of view” (Rubin & Rubin, 1995, p. 66). The student interviewees are chosen according to their level of their representation in the area of cultural background, technology background, experience background, and their interest in the LearningSpace assisted learning format. Both teachers of the two courses and all the three network administrators will be interviewed. So there are fifteen interviews altogether.There may be some follow up interviews for some of the interviewees, but not necessarily for everyone.

2. Describe each proposed condition, intervention, or manipulation of human subjects or their environments.

I will make initial open-ended survey to get first data so as to have an overall understanding of the subjects and their background. The observation is throughout the research. I will observe the learning activities in the Lotus LearningSpace and other related activities. I will select the interviewees according to the data from the open-ended survey and observations. The interviews will be conducted on the campus, over telephones, by email, or at other places where the interviewees and interviewer agree with and think it is appropriate.

3. Describe all measures or observations that are part of the study. Include a copy of any questionnaires, tests or other written instruments to be used.

Survey forms, and interview questionnaires are attached.

4. will the subjects encounter the possibility of stress or psychological, social, physical, or legal risks that are greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests?

[ ] Yes [X] No If Yes, please explain below.

5. will medical clearance be necessary for subjects to participate because of tissue or blood sampling, administration of substances such as food or drugs, or physical exercise somditioning?

[ ] Yes [X] No If Yes, please explain how the clearance

will be obtained.

6. Will the subjects be deceived or misled in any way?

[ ] Yes [X] No If Yes, please explain below.

7. Will information be requested that subjects might consider to be personal or sensitive?

[ ] Yes [X] No If Yes, please explain below.

8. Will the subjects be presented with materials that might be considered to be offensive, threatening, or degrading?

[ ] Yes [X] No If Yes, please explain below.

10. Will any inducements be offered to the subjects for their participation?

[ ] Yes [X] No If Yes, please explain below.

If extra course credit is offered, describe the alternative means for obtaining additional credit available to those students who do not wish to participate in the research project.

11. Explain how the subjects be solicited or contacted. Subjects must be informed about what is involved in their participation, including risks or anything they might consider unpleasant. (See the Informed Consent section of the IRB Guide for the elements of informed consent required by the federal regulations or see 45 CFR 46, Section 116.)

The subjects are first given a copy of Consent Form to read before they participate in this study. The Consent Form informs them the purpose of this study, what are involved in this study, the consequence and contribution of this study to themselves and the society, and whether there is any risk to participants in this study. It is mentioned in the Consent Form that the participants can withdraw from this study any time they want without any negative consequence happen to them.

12. Will a written consent form (assent for m for minor) be used?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If Yes, please include the form(s). Included in this Guide is a suggested format and checklist for a consent form. Elements of informed consent can be found in 45 CFR 46, Section 116.

13. Will the data be a part of a record that can be identified with the subject?

[X] Yes [ ] No If Yes, please explain below.

All the names of subjects are coded in pseudonyms. And all the recordings, transcriptions, surveys, interview notes and lists of pseudonyms that can be identified with the subjects will be destroyed after research is completed. Even in the research report, The coded list of pseudonyms will be stored in a separate location from the research data. Only the researcher and his research advisor have the access to it.

14. Will the subject’s participation in a specific experiment or study be made a part of any record available to his or her supervisor, teacher, or employer?

[ ] Yes [X] No If Yes, please describe below.

15. Describe the benefits that might accrue to either the subjects or society. Note that 45 CFR 46, Section 46.111(a)(2) requires that the risks to subjects be reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits. The investigator should specifically state the importance of the knowledge that reasonably may be expected to result from this research.

This research will contribute to the literature of networked distance education. The research on the users’ attitude towards Lotus LearningSpace will provide the designers, administrators, instructors, and learners a better understanding of the effectiveness of Lotus LearningSpace and how to best use this tool to improve the quality of distance learning through networked learning interactivity and the new format of the instructional with the virtual tools. It will serve as a feedback to the producers, users and help them make better decisions on developing, administrating and manipulating internal networks like Lotus LearningSpace for educational purposes. The findings which yield from this research may engender further study of Intranet-based learning under similar conditions and enrich the social learning implications. In addition, it could precipitate reforming networked technology and technology-based pedagogy.

NOTE:

1. ANY CHANGES IN THE PROJECT AFTER APPROVAL BY THE IRB MUST BE RESUBMITTED FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

2. APPROVAL IS GRANTED FOR ONE YEAR MAXIMUM. ANNUAL REQUESTS MUST BE MADE TO TEH IRB FOR CONTINUATION, AS LONG AS THE RESEARCH CONTINUES.

CONCURRENCE:

______________________________ ____________________________

Signature of Head or Chairperson Date

______________________________ ____________________________

Signature of College/Division Date

Research Director

Checklist for Application Submission:

Research plan/prospectus/proposal

Informed consent/assent forms (if applicable)

Outline or script to be provided prior to subjects’ agreement to participate

Instrument(s) [questionnaire, survey, testing]

Curriculum vita (not necessary if project is exempt from review by full board)

Department/college/division signatures

Number of copies to be submitted (based on type of review required):

Exempt 2 copies

Expedited 3 copies

Full board 10 copies