Consent and information letters (Appendix 4)

Are you interested in taking part in the research project Investigating the teaching of Algebra in primary school?

Information to the Headteacher

This is an inquiry about participation of volunteer mathematics teachers from your school in a research project. The main purpose is to investigate the teaching of algebra in Malawi primary schools. In this letter, I will give you information about the purpose of the project and why I am asking you for permission to approach mathematics teachers teaching standard 5 (grade 5).

Purpose of the project

This project is part of my master studies at the University of Stavanger, Norway, where I will be writing my master thesis in Mathematics Education. The purpose of my master thesis project is to investigate the teaching of algebra in Malawi primary school. I will narrow this to study how this is done in standard 5 (grade 5), and my study is guided by the following research questions:

1. What type of resources, examples and tasks do teachers use to introduce algebra in standard 5?

2. How do teachers introduce (explain) the algebraic concepts to standard 5 learners.

3. How do standard 5 learners participate in algebra lessons?

In particular, I am interested in studying:

a) The resources that teachers use to introduce algebra.

b) The introduction of letters and symbols.

c) The type of examples and tasks the teacher gives learners.

d) The activities that learners are involved in during lessons.

e) How teachers explain the algebraic concepts to learners (the letters, symbols and coefficient).

Who is responsible for the research project?

The master thesis is written under the supervision of Professor Arne Jakobsen, Department of Education and Sports Science, at the University of Stavanger, Norway, who is responsible for the project. If any questions, he can be contacted at email: arne.jakobsen@uis.no, or by phone: +47-97097369.

Why am I asking for permission to collect data at your school?

I have selected a convenient sample of 3 schools in Bembeke zone in the Dedza district in Malawi. This district was selected due to convenient access. I would like to seek permission

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from you as the head teacher to carry out research at your school. I would like you to identify standard 5 (grade 5) mathematics teachers who can voluntarily take part in the research.

What does participation involve for your school?

During one week, I wish to observe and video record regular teaching in the mathematics

teachers’ classroom related to introduction of algebra. I will also take observational notes during teaching. After I am done with observing teaching, I also want to do an interview with the teachers that volunteer that will be audio recorded. I will also ask children and their parents for consent to video record the teaching with their children present in class.

Participation is voluntary

Participation in the project is voluntary. If you allow me to involve teachers and children at your school, all information gathered about them will be made anonymous. There will be no negative consequences for them or your school, and they can withdraw at any time from the project.

Personal privacy of participating teachers and children – how we will store and use their personal data

I am only interested in the teaching taking place, guided by the research question above, and no information that can be used to identify teachers, children – or your school – will be revealed – as personal names and school names will be replaced by codes/pseudonyms. After video of the teaching is analysed, and audio recording of interviews are transcribed, both video and audio files will be deleted. I will process your personal data confidentially and in accordance with data protection legislation (the General Data Protection Regulation and Personal Data Act).

 In addition to me as researcher, only Professor Arne Jakobsen at the University of Stavanger will have access to the data.

 Video and audio recording will be stored on an encrypted separate hard disk that is locked away when not used, until is deleted at the end of the project. The list of names, contact details and respective codes used in transcript will be stored separately from the rest of the collected data,

Part of transcripts and findings from classroom teaching will be part of my master thesis, but it will not be possible to identify schools or teachers from the data made public.

What will happen to your personal data at the end of the research project?

The project is scheduled to end 1.8.2020. All video and audio recordings will be deleted latest at this date, and only anonymised text will be kept after that.

What gives us the right to process teachers and children’s personal data?

We will process teachers and children personal data based on their consent (parents’ consent for children).

Based on an agreement with University of Stavanger, NSD – The Norwegian Centre for Research Data AS has assessed that the processing of personal data in this project is in accordance with data protection legislation.

104 Where can I find out more?

If you have questions about the project, contact:

 University of Stavanger, Norway, via Professor Arne Jakobsen.

 NSD – The Norwegian Centre for Research Data AS, by email:

(personverntjenester@nsd.no) or by telephone: +47 55 58 21 17.

Yours sincerely,

Project Leader Student

Arne Jakobsen Kolace P. Silwimba

Professor

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Consent form

I have received and understood information about the project investigating the introduction of Algebra in primary school and have been given the opportunity to ask questions. I give consent:

 to the researchers to contact mathematics teachers at my school and ask for volunteers to conduct research as outline above.

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