Title of the Project: Open-ended Problems in Undergraduate Engineering Science Courses
Principal Investigator: Jessica Swenson, University at Buffalo
Co-Investigators: Emma Treadway, Trinity University
– Aaron Johnson, University of Michigan
– Alice Nightingale, University at Buffalo
– Aaron Estes, University at Buffalo
– Rachel Vitali, University of Iowa
– Nicole Ramo, West Chester University
– Craig Merrett, Clarkson University
By completing and submitting this survey you consent to allow us to use your responses in our research.
Benefits of Participation: Although you may not directly benefit from being in this research study, you and future engineering students at Trinity University, University at Buffalo, University of Iowa, West Chester University, Clarkson University, and elsewhere may benefit because the results of this research will help faculty to design different kinds of homework problems to help students better learn engineering. The results of this research will also help the engineering community better understand how students think about solving problems.
Risks and Discomforts of Participating: We believe there are very minimal risk or discomforts from participating in this research study. We will protect the confidentiality of your responses by not collecting any identifiable information through this survey. Professor Treadway, Professor Johnson, Professor Estes, Professor Ramo, Professor Vitali, Professor Merrett, or Professor Nightingale will not be informed of your choice to participate or not participate in the research study. They will only see the anonymous responses. Therefore, your choice to participate will have no effect on your course grade. There is a minimal risk that other students may know you choose not to participate in the survey, which is why we are asking you to play on your phone or computer or draw a picture on the paper survey if you choose not to participate.
Compensation for Participating: You will not receive any compensation for participating in this research project.
Confidentiality: We plan to publish the results of this research study. We will not include any information that would identify you, such as your name. Your privacy will be protected and your research records will be confidential.
It is possible that other people need to see the information you give us as part of the research study, such as organizers responsible for making sure the research is done safely and properly like SUNY Buffalo or government offices.
Storage of Data: Because we will not be able to identify to whom survey responses belong, data will be kept for the duration of the project and for members of the research team to use in future studies. Any identifying information (such as the specific name and number of the course you are taking) will not be stored with your data. Only the researchers on the project will have access to your data, which is anonymous.
Voluntary Nature of the Study: Participating in this research study is completely voluntary. You do not have to answer a question you do not want to answer.
Contact Information for the Study Team: If you have questions, concerns, or complaints, or think the research has hurt you, talk to the research coordinator Dr. Jessica Swenson at [email protected] or 716-645-3927. You may also contact the research participant advocate at 716-888-4845 or [email protected].
This research has been reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (“IRB”). An IRB is a committee that provides ethical and regulatory oversight of research that involves human subjects. You may talk to them at (716) 888-4888 or email [email protected] if:
You have questions about your rights as a participant in this research Your questions, concerns, or complaints are not being answered by the research team. You cannot reach the research team. You want to talk to someone besides the research team. You want to get information or provide input about this research.
Continue to Survey: By moving on to complete this survey, you are indicating that you are at least 18 years old, have read and understood the above information, and agree to participate in this research study. You may access the above information at any time at:
I have read the consent information above and consent to participate in this survey.