Greetings! You are invited to participate in the study “Graduate Faculty Perceptions of Student Preparedness and Support” being conducted by Drs. Amanda Townley, Regina Rahimi, and Lina Soares at Georgia Southern University.

What is the study about? You are being asked to take part in a research study. This study intends to explore faculty perceptions of graduate student preparedness and support practices surrounding those gaps in preparation. It also aims to explore the varying types of supports that are being provided to support graduate student learners. The study is being conducted by Drs. Regina Rahimi, Lina Soares, and Amanda Townley, graduate faculty in the College of Education at Georgia Southern University.

Why is this study important? What good will the results do? What are the general benefits of the study? Why have you been asked to take part in this study? You have been asked to take part in this study because you are identified as a member of graduate faculty at a university in the United States.

How many people besides you will be in the study? It is anticipated that up to 250 people may be asked to participate in this survey, all of whom are graduate faculty members at universities.

What you will be asked to do in the study? If you choose to be in this study, you will be asked to do the following: Complete an anonymous survey made up of twenty-five (25) questions about your demographics/background, teaching experience, perceptions of specific student characteristics, and how/whether they have changed over the course of your career. You will also be asked about any supports that you provide your students to address gaps in preparation.

How much time will you spend in this study? If you participate in this study, you will complete a survey today that should take you between 25 and 35 minutes to complete. There will be no further contact or requirements on your part.

Will you be paid for being in the study? No, you will not be paid for your participation in this study. Will being in this study cost you anything? The only cost to you is the brief amount of time you spend participating in the study.

What are the risks from being in this study? This study involves the discussion of your perceptions of preparation of your graduate students as it relates to their performance in your courses. What you will be asked is very similar in nature to conversations you likely have with colleagues and in program planning. The possible risks are minimal and do not involve physical risk. As a participant your name and other identifying information are not collected to maintain anonymity and protect your confidentiality.

What are the benefits of being in this study? There are no direct personal benefits from participating in this study however the study will help us to identify areas of focus for support in graduate student preparation as well as exploring the range of support mechanisms available to graduate students in a variety of settings and programs.

How will my privacy/confidentiality be protected? If you participate in the study there will be no collection of any identifying information, including your name or IP address. What are the alternatives to participation? The alternative is to not participate in the study at all.

What are my rights as a participant? Participation in this study is voluntary and will not influence your relationship with the university, your schools, or any members of the research team. You may stop your participation at any time. To stop participation, simply exit the survey. Any survey that is not complete will be automatically removed from the study.

 The Georgia Southern University Institutional Review Board is a group that works to protect the rights of people who choose to participate in research conducted by the students and faculty of the university. They have the ability and right to review all documents related to the study at any time to ensure that participants' rights are being protected. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Amanda Townley (912) 478-8408 at aglaze@georgiasouthern.edu. If you have any questions or complaints about your rights as a research participant, you may contact the Georgia Southern University Research Compliance Officer at 912-478-5465 and reference IRB H23196.