Student Portfolio Consent form
Assessment Resource Network Assessment Initiative, Academic Year 2007-2008
University Studies faculty and administrators are always looking for ways to improve the program. As part of this ongoing assessment effort, you are invited to take part in an annual research study that looks at how well University Studies is advancing student learning under the four University Studies goal areas (Inquiry and Critical Thinking, Communication, The Diversity of Human Experience, and Ethical Issues and Social Responsibility). All 2007-2008 FRINQ students and all students from participating SINQ and Capstone courses are being invited to participate.
What Will I Have To Do?
University Studies would like your permission to collect and analyze the portfolio that you will complete throughout the year, after the course is over and grades have been submitted. Results of the analysis will be used to assess and improve the University Studies program.
Are There Any Risks?
Your participation is voluntary. Whether or not you decide to take part in this study, it will not affect your course grade or your relationship with your instructor or Portland State University. If you decide to participate in the study, you may withdraw your consent at any time, without penalty. In participating you are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies.
What Are The Benefits?
By looking at a broad, random sampling of student portfolios, we can tell where the program is strong and where it needs improvement. In past years, information gathered in this study has resulted in better faculty training, improvements in course materials, and reallocation of resources to improve student learning in particular areas. By identifying exactly where more programmatic emphasis is needed, this study helps University Studies use its resources in a manner most beneficial to students. The results of this study also help to give University Administration a clear idea of the program’s accomplishments, supporting the program’s requests for additional resources, and satisfying national accreditation requirements.
What Are You Doing to Protect Me?
All information from this study will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law, and the names of all students participating in the study will be kept confidential. The information you provide on this form will be secured in the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. Any reports or other findings related to your portfolio will be summarized in a manner that assures confidentiality. If excerpts from your portfolio are used in publications or presentations, any information that can identify you or be linked to you will be kept confidential.
Who Can I Call With Questions?
If you have questions about this study, please contact Rowanna Carpenter at 503-725-3445, carpenterr@pdx.edu and/or Sukhwant Jhaj at 503-725-5818. You may also contact the PSU Assessment Resource Network: Cheryl Ramette, 483 CH, 725-5923, ramettec@pdx.edu.
If you have concerns or problems about your participation in this study or your rights as a research participant, please contact Human Subjects Research Review Committee, Office of Research and Sponsored Projects, 600 Unitus Building, Portland State University, (503) 725-4288.
Please indicate below whether or not you agree to participate in the 2007-2008 Portfolio Review, allowing researchers to use your portfolio as part of their research analysis. If you change your mind later, please contact your instructor, the researchers, or the Assessment Resource Network at the numbers above.
Please tell us whether you are willing to participate in the FRINQ Portfolio Review.