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Informed Consent

Title of Study: A phenomenological case study: The law school environment as experienced by academically dismissed Black and Latina/o law students.

 

Investigator: Erin Lain

 

This is a phenomenological case study, which means this study will focus on a phenomenon (the participant’s experiences of being in law school and being dismissed), through the confines of a case (the law school environment).  A phenomenological case study is a method of collecting and interpreting data through qualitative methods. Please take your time in deciding if you would like to participate. Please feel free to ask questions at any time.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

You are being asked to participate in a research study. This study is for a dissertation at Drake University, in partial completion of my doctoral program in education leadership. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Black or Latina/o minority law students who were academically dismissed from law school in their first year and their view on the law school environment. You are being invited to participate in this study because you identify as Black or Latina/o, and you were academically dismissed from an ABA accredited law school in the past five years.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES

 

If you agree to participate, there will be three interviews that are employed as a part of collecting the data appropriate for a phenomenological case study:

 

  • A semi-structured life history interview that will explore your educational history, your process of deciding to go to law school, and getting into law school. This interview will take place over Skype. It will last for approximately 60-minutes.

 

  • A semi-structured contemporary experience interview that will explore your perceptions of the law school environment and your experience while in law school and through your academic dismissal. This interview will take place over Skype. It will last for approximately 120-minutes.

 

  • An open-ended reflection on meaning interview will be a conversational style that will rely on a natural exchange of ideas regarding the previous two interviews. You will be asked to reflect on the meaning you make of your experiences. This interview will take place over Skype. It will last for approximately 30-minutes.

 

Your participation will last for three weeks and will include at least five points of contact:

 

  • Initial contact/introduction of the project and informed consent document (attached for your review and consideration);

  • The first 60-minute semi-structured life history interview (by Skype);

  • The 120-minute semi-structured law school environment interview (by Skype);

  • The 30-minute open-ended reflection interview (by Skype);

  • I will email a transcript of your interviews, which you will be able to check for accuracy and clarity.

  • I will email you a copy of the findings and the discussion, which you will be able to check for accuracy and clarity.

 

RISKS

While participating in this study, it is highly unlikely that you will encounter physical, or legal risks of any kind. As with any study regarding a personal narrative interview, there is a possibility of emotional risk or ethical dilemma associated with disclosing personal sentiment about law school and your academic dismissal. Every precaution will be taken to ensure minimal risk, and it should be noted that you can refuse to answer questions, or leave the study at any time.

 

BENEFITS

If you decide to participate in this study, there may be no direct benefit to you. It is hoped that the information gained in this study will provide greater insight into the law school environment and the experiences of students who are academically dismissed. This study could be useful in helping law schools identify ways to improve their environment and assist students who are at risk for failing out.

 

COSTS AND COMPENSATION

You will not have any costs from participating in this study. You will not be compensated for participating in this study.

 

PARTICIPANT RIGHTS

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary, and you may refuse to participate or leave the study at any time. If you decide to not participate in the study or leave the study early, it will not result in any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. You can skip any questions that you do not wish to answer.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

Records identifying participants will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and will not be made publicly available. However, federal government regulatory agencies, auditing departments of Drake University, and the Institutional Review Board (a committee that reviews and approves human subject research studies) may inspect and/or copy your records for quality assurance and data analysis. These records may contain private information.

 

To ensure confidentiality to the extent permitted by law, the following measures will be taken: your identity will be kept confidential and any identifiers (such as your name, any names noted during the interview and the law school you attended) will be replaced with pseudonyms in the interview transcripts. All documentation of the interview will remain in the private password protected computer files of the researcher. Parties likely to view the data include Dr. Robyn Cooper my Drake University dissertation committee chair and other members of my dissertation committee. The data collected will be retained until it is no longer useful for research purposes. If the results are published, your identity will remain confidential.

 

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS

You are encouraged to ask questions at any time during this study.

  • For further information about the study, contact

Erin Lain (Researcher)                                    Dr. Robyn Cooper (Advisor)

(515) 271-2040                                               (515) 271-4535

erin.lain@drake.edu                                       robyn.cooper@drake.edu              

  • If you have any questions about the rights of research subjects or research-related injury, please contact the IRB Administrator, (515) 271-3472, IRB@drake.edu, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa 50311.

 

PARTICIPANT SIGNATURE

Your signature indicates that you voluntarily agree to participate in this study, that the study has been explained to you, that you have been given the time to read the document, and that your questions have been satisfactorily answered. You will receive a copy of the written informed consent prior to your participation in the study. Participant’s Name (printed)

 

Participant’s Name (Printed) _____________________________________

 

Participant’s Signature _________________________________________

 

Date________________________________________________________

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