Participant Information Sheet

PUPILS 

Understanding Science through Sign Language

Dr Audrey Cameron, Chancellor’s Fellow, at the University of Edinburgh is leading a piece of research that aims to help better understand how sign language can help with the understanding of scientific concepts and phenomena.  You have been invited to take part, but before you decide to do so, it is important you understand why the research is being conducted and what is involved. Please take time to read the following information. 

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of the study conducted by University of Edinburgh (Audrey Cameron) is to investigate how sign language can help deaf signers to understand science.  How can the Scottish Sensory Centre (SSC)’s BSL Glossary best support that learning? 

(http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/bsl/ )

This study will focus specifically on your science lessons at Heathland School for the Deaf.  If you decide to take part and with your consent, Audrey will come to your first science lesson of the week to explain the project and you can ask questions.  She will return to your other science lessons in the same week with 3 tiny cameras and they will be set up in different parts of the classroom so she can record your science lesson.  She is interested in watching you and your classmates talking about science during the lesson.    Your contribution to the discussions during the science lessons will be video-recorded and analysed.  The focus of this analysis will be how deaf signers develop their understanding of science through discussion in sign language with classmates and their teacher.  The findings from this analysis will be shared at a later date in June 2022 and discussed with you to help the development of BSL resources for teaching and learning science. 

Why have I been invited?

You have been invited because you learn science at Heathlands School for the Deaf and you use BSL to communicate. 

Do I have to take part?

No, it is up to you.  Participation is voluntary.  

What if I change my mind about taking part?

At any time, you can decide that you don't want to be filmed and take part in the study. Just tell your teacher or Audrey - you don't have to explain why. 

What will taking part in the study involve?

1. Consent

If you decide to take part, please keep this Information Sheet. You will be asked to fill out an informed consent form to confirm that you have agreed to take part in this study.  (Please see the consent form at the end of this sheet).

2. Classroom observation of your science lessons

Your contributions to the discussions of science during the science lessons will be video-recorded and analysed.  Audrey will come to your first science lesson of the week to explain the project and you can ask questions.  She will return to your other science lessons in the same week with 3 tiny cameras. The camera will be set up in different parts of the classroom so she can record your science lesson.  She is interested in watching you and your classmates talking about science during the lesson.   

3. Focus group and watch the video clips

Audrey will return to your school in June 2022.  During one science lesson, she will show you video clips of your lessons and she will ask you and your classmates a few questions and discuss your thoughts on using sign language in a science lesson.  Audrey would like to film your responses and she will ask you for your consent again before filming you and your classmates.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

Audrey hopes that it will be a positive experience for you and an opportunity for you to share your views on using sign language in understanding science. You will be helping Audrey and your science teachers to develop BSL resources for other science teachers who work with deaf children in the UK.  

Are there any risks to taking part in the study?

No.  You will be staying in the classroom with your science teacher, and you will be in an usual science lesson.  Audrey will be sitting in the corner of the classroom and will not interfere with your lesson. 

Risks of participation (COVID-19)

We have taken specific steps to minimise the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 during the study by following the most up to date UK Government guidance (https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus) and your school’s guidance. Audrey will only come if she is well with a recent negative lateral flow test and not been in touch with anyone who has Covid-19 in the past 14 days.  At your school, she will use hand gel and keep at a safe distance from you and your classmates.  She will also wear a clear face mask.  However, even with these control measures in place, there remains some additional risk of exposure from participating in this study. 

What if I am unwell?

If you feel unwell and have COVID-19 related symptoms with a positive lateral flow or PCR test result. Or you have been required to self-isolate due to contact with someone who has COVID-19 recently.  Unfortunately, you will not be able to take part in this study. 

Will my taking part be kept confidential?

 Your data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Law.  All the information collected about you will be kept confidential.  In the records, your data will be referred to by a unique participant number rather than by name.  If you consent to being video recorded during your science lessons and the group discussion, the recordings will be transferred securely to the University’s DataShare for long-term storage.  The videos will only be viewed by Audrey for analysis and editing.  After analysis, she will edit the video clips and share the edited film with you, your classmates, and your science teachers in June 2022.  These videos will not be used for any public purpose e.g., that they wouldn't be used at conferences or presentations.  All recordings will be destroyed at the end of Audrey’s Chancellor’s Fellowship in 2026.  Your consent information will be stored separately from the video recordings in a password-protected computer file and all paper records will be stored in a locked filing cabinet.  For general information about how we use your data go to:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/records-management/privacy-notice-research

 What will happen to the results of the research study?

The results of this study will help to develop BSL resources to support science teachers working with deaf children in the UK.  We will write reports in a way that no-one can work out that you took part in the study.   Audrey will send a summary of what was found from the study to each participant at the end of the study.  The summary will be in English and BSL.

Who is organising and funding the research?

This study has been organised by Audrey Cameron.  The study is being funded by the University of Edinburgh’s Regional Skills Programme Award. 

Who has reviewed the study?

The study proposal has been reviewed by Moray House School of Education and Sport’s Ethics Committee. 

Who can I contact?

If you have any further questions about the study, please ask your teacher who will contact Audrey Cameron (audrey.m.cameron@ed.ac.uk )

If you would like to discuss this study with someone independent of the study please contact Rachel O’Neill (rachel.oneill@ed.ac.uk )

If you wish to make a complaint about the study, please contact: 

Research Office: MHSES-Ethics@ed.ac.uk    or 

Ethics Lead : Fiona.O’Hanlon@ed.ac.uk