Title of Study: International Student Perspectives on Sense of Belonging Environments at Ontario Secondary Schools
You are asked to participate in a research study conducted by Dr. Clayton Smith, Dr. George Zhou, and Dr. Geri Salinitri from the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor, and Dr. Sara Shahbazi, Ms. Michelle Marcuz, Mr. Mike Hawkins, and Mr. Josh Canty, from the Greater Essex County District School Board.
If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel to contact Dr. Clayton Smith at Clayton.Smith@uwindsor.ca.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study seeks to discover how the barriers to international students’ sense of belonging differ in our schools at the intermediate/senior level. We hope that this study will support institutional efforts to improve international students’ engagement, mental and physical health, and academic performance at the intermediate/senior level.
PROCEDURES
If you volunteer to participate as a student participant in this study, you will be asked to complete three (3) online surveys, one at the beginning and the others at the end of your first and second semesters, and participate in monthly focus groups and/or individual interviews throughout the academic year. You will also have an opportunity to complete a student journal regarding your secondary school experience. We anticipate that surveys will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Focus groups/interviews will last approximately one hour in length. You should be able to complete each journal post in approximately 5-10 minutes.
If you volunteer to participate as a secondary-school teacher, staff person, or administrator in this study, you will be asked to participate in two (2) focus groups over a two-semester period. Focus group participants will be teachers, staff, and administrators employed at Greater Essex County District School Board secondary schools where international students are enrolled. Focus groups will last approximately one hour in length.
POTENTIAL RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS
For student participants, there are low-level risks exist related to psychological or emotional, and social risks related to your school transition experience. Researchers will take steps to minimize potential risks and discomforts.
There are no potential risks or discomforts for teacher, staff, or administrator participants.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO PARTICIPANTS AND/OR TO SOCIETY
Participants may gain satisfaction from the opportunity to contribute their perspectives and experiences to improve school practices.
COMPENSATION FOR PARTICIPATION
The researchers will conduct a student participant draw, which will provide an opportunity to win an iPad or one of four (4) gift cards.
There is no incentive provided to teacher, staff, or administrator participants.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and that can be identified with you will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission.
The researchers will ensure the confidentiality of the data collected during the project. Survey data will be anonymous. Research participants are asked to maintain the information privacy they experience during the focus group discussions.
Downloaded recordings will be disposed of after the creation of a verified transcript, which should be generated within one week after data collection. Transcripts will be retained for three (3) years in secure, offline, password-protected location and then will be deleted. Data collected through surveys will automatically be anonymized by an online survey tool. Surveyed participants will not be individually tracked.
PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL
At the time of consent, as well as prior to taking the survey, eligible participants will be informed in writing that participation in the study is entirely optional and that choosing to withdraw from the study will result in no negative repercussions academically or otherwise. For the online survey, participants may withdraw after the point of consent by choosing not to complete the survey, or by closing the browser before submitting their responses.
At the time of consent, as well as prior to focus group discussions, eligible participants will be informed verbally and in writing that participation in the study is entirely optional, and that choosing to withdraw from the study will result in no negative repercussions academically or otherwise.
Although all students will receive information on how to book an interview, the researchers will leave it up to the participants to request an interview, if desired or preferred. Researchers will not be approaching individuals to ask them for an interview.
FEEDBACK OF THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY TO THE PARTICIPANTS
Research results will be available on the University of Windsor Research Ethics Board site at https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/research-result-summaries/. It will also be available on Dr. Smith’s research site at https://www.uwindsor.ca/people/csmith/383/research-update. We anticipate having results available on or after January 30, 2023.
SUBSEQUENT USE OF DATA
These data may be used in subsequent studies, in publications, and in presentations.
RIGHTS OF RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, contact: The Office of Research Ethics, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4; Telephone: 519-253-3000, ext. 3948; e‑mail: ethics@uwindsor.ca