Elementary students in grades 3 – 5 needed for Brock University study on writing

Parents and children are invited to participate in a study by researchers at Brock University that seeks to explore how Ontario elementary students in grades 3, 4, and 5 with language and learning disabilities feel about their ability to successfully complete writing tasks.

For details about the study see Writing Self-Efficacy Study below

If you are interested in participating, please email the Principal Student Investigator (Roselyn) to receive a Letter of Invitation with more information.

Roselyn Gishen, MEd Candidate, Brock University, (647)201-3309 rg21zm@brocku.ca

Opportunity to Participate in Research: Writing Self-Efficacy of Elementary Students with Learning Disabilities

You and your child are invited to participate in a study by researchers at Brock University that seeks to explore how Ontario elementary students in grades 3, 4, and 5 with language and learning disabilities feel about their ability to successfully complete writing tasks.

Explanation of study: Writing self-efficacy refers to students’ confidence in their ability to succeed at writing tasks. The purpose of the study is to explore how students in grades 3-5 who have language and/or learning disabilities and struggle with writing perceive their writing abilities.

What the study involves: Children will be asked to produce a short sample of writing in response to a prompt. They will also respond to a short 9-question survey about writing. You and your child will also be asked to respond to demographic questions. The writing sample and survey will take place during a 30–45-minute session with the researcher over Microsoft Teams that will be scheduled during April, May, or June 2023. The session will be recorded and automatically transcribed. Participation in the study is voluntary, and you or your child may choose not to participate without penalty.

Privacy and Confidentiality: Your child’s information will be kept confidential in the reporting of the results. All names will be replaced by pseudonyms and personally identifying information will be removed.

Risks: There is a small risk that your child may become distressed when asked about their writing abilities. In the event your child becomes upset, the study will be immediately terminated and counselling resources will be provided.

Benefits: The results of the survey may be published in articles read by practitioners and will be presented annually at academic conferences. The information obtained from your participation in this research may provide future directions for what educators need in order to successfully support the writing abilities of students with language and learning disabilities. All participants will also receive an aggregate summary of the results and curated writing resources.

If you have any questions, or are interested in participating, please email the Principal Student Investigator (Roselyn) to receive a Letter of Invitation with more information.

Thank you, on behalf of the Investigators,

Principal Student Investigator:
Roselyn Gishen, MEd Candidate
Brock University
(647)201-3309
rg21zm@brocku.ca

Principal Investigator/Faculty Supervisor:
Dr. Tiffany Gallagher
Brock University
(905)688-5550 Ext: 5114
tgallagher@brocku.ca

REB File #: 21-185-GALLAGHER || Brock University Ethics Board || 905 688-5550 ext. 3035; reb@brocku.ca