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      “Challenges of studies in English

Information sheet for students studying in English

Who is conducting the research?
My name is Agata Mikołajewska and I am inviting you to take in part in my research project “Challenges of studying in English”. I am a doctoral student at University College London.

Why am I doing this research?
I am hoping to find out what the major challenges are of studying in English of students in Higher Education, and what it actually means to learn in English.

Why am I being invited to take part?
You are invited for participation becasue:

  • you study on a degree programme taught fully in English at a university in Poland
    (at bachelors, masters or doctoral level)
  • and you are not a native speaker of English
  • you do not study English Philology, or American Studies

What will happen if I choose to take part?
If you decide to participate you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire online which will ask you questions about what challenges you have experienced when studying in English. If you wish to provide your email address you will be also invited for a group interview, where a few students learning in English would gather to discuss the challenges experienced in greater depth.

Will anyone know I have been involved?
The questionnaire online will be anonymous, and data kept as strictly confidential. No one will be able to identify you. You will be able to withdraw at any time until you submit your answers online.

Could there be problems for me if I take part?
There are no anticipated problems for you if you participate in the study. However, you are free to withdraw at any point until you submit your answers online.

What will happen to the results of the research?
Results of the research will become a part of my doctoral thesis, and potentially a base for journal articles. The data will remain anonymised throughout. The data will be retained for 10 years as this is a formal requirement of University College London.

Do I have to take part?
It is entirely up to you whether or not you choose to take part. There will be no negative repercussions if you decide not to take part in the study. I hope that if you do choose to be involved then you will find it a valuable experience.

How can I benefit from participation?
You will provide insight into an underresearched area, which may inform policy.

Thank you very much reading this information sheet.         

                               _____

Informed Consent Form

Project Title: “Challenges of studies in English
Researcher: Agata Mikołajewska
Principal Researcher: Dr Jim McKinley

Name and Contect Details of the UCL Data Protection Officer:
Lee Shailer data-protection@ucl.ac.uk

If you have any questions arising from the Information Sheet please contact the researcher - Agata Mikołajewska via email: agata.mikolajewska.18@ucl.ac.uk

Participant’s statement

I agree that:

  • I have read the notes written above and the Information Sheet, and understand what the study involves.
  • I understand that if I decide at any time that I no longer wish to take part in this project, I can withdraw any time up till the point of submission of the questionnaire or notify the researcher and at any time if I provide my email address.
  • I understand that my personal information (e.g. age, gender) will be used for research purposes. I understand that according to data protection legislation, ‘public task’ will be the lawful basis for processing. I understand that according to data protection legislation, ‘research purposes’ will be the lawful basis for processing special category data.
  • I understand that such information will be treated as strictly confidential and handled in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.
  • I understand that further information about relevant UCL privacy notices are available here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/legal-services/privacy/ucl-general-research-participant-privacy-notice
  • I understand the potential benefits of participating.
  • I agree that the research project named above has been explained to me to my satisfaction and I agree to take part in this study.


Do you agree to participate in the study?

Do you confirm that

- you study on a degree course taught in English,
- you are not a native speaker of English
- you are 18 years old or older?


M.Sc. Agata Mikolajewska, UCL – 2019