For student research within research methods units only
Participant Information Sheet
A thematic analysis investigating attitudes towards learning in
higher education
1. Invitation to research
I would like to invite you to take part in my research project investigating the attitudes of
university students towards learning in higher education and their experience of
transitioning into higher education. My name is Aemon Shah and I am a first-year
psychology student at Manchester Metropolitan University. My research project is an
interview investigating attitudes towards learning in university and the transitions to higher
education.
2. Why have I been invited?
I have chosen a sample of a first-year university students who have recently joined university. I have
selected this sample for my research project as the participant would have recently transitioned into
higher education and it would be easier for them to reflect on their transitioning experience.
3. Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide. We will describe the study and go through the information sheet,
which we will give to you. We will then ask you to sign a consent form to show you agreed
to take part. You are free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason. You have the
right to withdraw your data at any point of the study and any data provided before this
point will be destroyed. If you would like to withdraw from the study, inform the researcher
that you do not want to participate further.
4. What will I be asked to do?
You will be asked to participate in an interview and in this interview, you will be asked a
series of questions regarding the research aims. Your answers in this interview will be audio
recorded on a smartphone and the data will be deleted after the assignment has been
graded.
5. Are there any risks if I participate?
No, there are no risks if you participate. The research project has been presented to and
approved by the University’s ethics committee.
6. Are there any advantages if I participate?
There are no direct advantages or rewards for participating in the research. However, this
research will bring useful contributions to the psychological field as it would allow
universities to understand the difficult parts of a student’s transitioning into university and
the university would be able to provide additional support for future students.
Page
Participant Information Sheet
A thematic analysis investigating attitudes towards learning in
higher education
1. Invitation to research
I would like to invite you to take part in my research project investigating the attitudes of
university students towards learning in higher education and their experience of
transitioning into higher education. My name is Aemon Shah and I am a first-year
psychology student at Manchester Metropolitan University. My research project is an
interview investigating attitudes towards learning in university and the transitions to higher
education.
2. Why have I been invited?
I have chosen a sample of a first-year university students who have recently joined university. I have
selected this sample for my research project as the participant would have recently transitioned into
higher education and it would be easier for them to reflect on their transitioning experience.
3. Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide. We will describe the study and go through the information sheet,
which we will give to you. We will then ask you to sign a consent form to show you agreed
to take part. You are free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason. You have the
right to withdraw your data at any point of the study and any data provided before this
point will be destroyed. If you would like to withdraw from the study, inform the researcher
that you do not want to participate further.
4. What will I be asked to do?
You will be asked to participate in an interview and in this interview, you will be asked a
series of questions regarding the research aims. Your answers in this interview will be audio
recorded on a smartphone and the data will be deleted after the assignment has been
graded.
5. Are there any risks if I participate?
No, there are no risks if you participate. The research project has been presented to and
approved by the University’s ethics committee.
6. Are there any advantages if I participate?
There are no direct advantages or rewards for participating in the research. However, this
research will bring useful contributions to the psychological field as it would allow
universities to understand the difficult parts of a student’s transitioning into university and
the university would be able to provide additional support for future students.
Page
