Project Title: A comparison of TOEFL iBT written task performance with disciplinary writing proficiency
Dear Participant,
You are being asked to participate in a research project conducted through the Department of English at Northern Arizona University by Doug Biber, Randi Reppen and Shelley Staples. The researcher is required to receive your informed consent before you participate in this project.
This letter explains: (1) the purpose of the project; (2) what you will be asked to do and how long your participation will last; (3) how your personal information, if collected, will be kept confidential; (4) if you will receive any compensation; (5) the possible risks; and (6) potential benefits of participation.
Your participation in this research is voluntary. If you refuse to participate, there are no penalties or loss of benefits or services that you are otherwise entitled. If you decide to participate and then withdraw or skip a question there are also no penalties or loss of benefits or services. Whether or not you choose to participate in this project will have no effect on your relationship with NAU now or in the future.
A basic explanation of the project is written below. Please read this explanation and feel free to ask Randi Reppen (randi.reppen@nau.edu) or Shelley Staples (sls386@nau.edu) any questions to help you understand the project.
After any questions you may have are answered, if you decide to participate in the research, please click on I agree to continue to the next step, otherwise select I do not agree. Either way, thank you for reading this.
1. PROJECT PURPOSE:
The primary purpose of this study is to gain insights into the relationship between linguistic and holistic features of disciplinary writing and the writing portion of the TOEFL iBT.
2. EXPLANATION OF PROCEDURES:
You are asked to use an online interface to submit one to six papers that you have written for a content course (e.g., psychology, education, history, etc.) along with the description of the assignment. You will then be asked to schedule a time to take the writing portion of the TOEFL iBT. Since the papers are ones that you have already written the time required for this is minimal- about 5-10 minutes. The TOEFL iBT portion will take approximately one hour.
3. CONFIDENTIALITY:
All information shared will be reported anonymously. Your name will be converted to a random id number. Only the researchers will have access to the papers and test results.
4. COMPENSATION:
Participants will be entered into a drawing for prizes depending on the individual schools participating. Participants will also receive results from the TOEFL iBT.
5. BENEFITS:
This study may help to inform writing instruction and test development. Participants will receive their TOEFL iBT scores.
6. RISKS:
The study involves no greater risk than encountered in everyday life.