Title of Study: A Qualitative Research Study of the Barriers Associated in the Adoption of Simulation Technologies in non-STEM disciplines in Higher Education
Investigator: James Grooms
Contact Number: 321-432-0069
Purpose of the Study
You are invited to participate in a research study. The purpose of this study is to determine what, if any, barriers might be associated with the adoption of simulation use in non-STEM, low risk college disciplines.
Participants
You are being asked to participate in the study because your experiences as an educator regarding the knowledge, adoption, and use of simulation in non-STEM disciplines in higher education are essential in determing the degree of simulation acceptance and adoption.
Procedures
If you volunteer to participate in this study, you will be asked to do the following: Respond to a simple questionnaire that contains five demographic questions and five open-ended questions asking for your opinions regarding the use of simulations in your teaching discipline. The Delphi method will be utilized to process data which requires at least two iterations of the questionnaire, the second of which, will be modified based upon the responses of the first questionnaire. This will continue until a conscensus is reached among all participants. A conscensus is usually reached by the second round.
The data will be analyzed with NVivo Qualitative Analysis software using word frequency and cluster analysis, initial patterns and themes should emerge that are related to the literature. The second round of coding will then be accomplished with the use of these thematic codes and related literature findings to develop a combined theme. The findings of this research will be based upon this emerged theme.
Benefits of Participation
There may/may not be direct benefits to you as a participant in this study. We hope to learn what steps may be taken to get educators in non-STEM disiplines to become more proactive in adopting the use of simulations in offered curriculum.
Risks of Participation
There are risks involved in all research studies. This study is estimated to involve minimal risk. An example of this risk might be your comfort level in answering questions about a subject that does not fall in an area of your expertise.
Cost/Compensation
There will be no financial cost to you to participate in this study. The study will take about 15 to 20 minutes for each iteration of the questionnaire. You will not be compensated for your time. Colorado Technical University will not provide compensation or free medical care for an unanticipated injury sustained as a result of participating in this research study.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about the study, you may contact James Grooms (jgrooms@cfl.rr.com, 321-432-0069) or Kathleen Hargiss (khargiss@coloradotech.edu, 727-773-8780). For questions that regard the rights of research subjects, any complaints or comments regarding the manner in which the study is being conducted, you may contact Colorado Technical University – Doctoral Programs at 719-598-0200.
Voluntary Participation
Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may refuse to participate in this study or in any part of this study. You may withdraw at any time without prejudice. You are encouraged to ask questions about this study at the beginning or at any time during the research study.
Confidentiality
This data will be stored on the investigator’s password protected computer, backed up on a secure cloud server and will be destroyed in five years.
Participant Consent
I have read the above information and agree to participate in this study. I am at least 18 years of age. A copy of this form has been given to me.
All areas marked with an * are required before submisson.