Information About This Research Study Pilot & Interview

Research study title: ‘What value do online microlearning induction resources bring to the transition
experience of new employees?’

Principal investigator
Sinead Lawton, Publications Coordinator, Learning & Development, Barnardos
Phone: 0877773929. Email: sinead.lawton@barnardos.ie
Student of MSC Applied eLearning, Dublin Institute of Technology, Supervisor: Dr.Frances Boylan

Introduction to the Research Study

You are invited to participate in a research study I am undertaking as part of my Masters programme
in Applied eLearning in the Dublin Institute of Technology. The study is designed to explore the value
of supplementing Barnardos existing face-to-face National Induction Training with online
microlearning resources, with an overall aim to inform practice and bring about change in the
employee learning experience. This research will examine what new employees need to know in
their first weeks of employment to enhance their sense of belonging and their understanding of
their new role and organisation. It will also consider how online microlearning resources can be
created to support employees in their transition to Barnardos.

Why you are being asked to participate

You are being asked to participate in the pilot of an elearning resource and follow-up interview as an
employee of Barnardos.

Details of what your involvement in this focus group will involve

Your participation in this pilot and follow-up interview is voluntary. If you agree to participate in this
survey, this will involve you accessing two sections of a planned Induction elearning resource and
you will be given an agreed time to do this. You will then be asked to participate in a one-to-one
interview with the researcher where you will be asked a series of questions regarding your
experience of being a new employee in Barnardos, what you think employees need from National
induction Training, your experience of using the elearning resource and your thoughts on the
potential value of this for new employees. The interview will take no more than 45 minutes. You can
withhold answering any question you do not wish to answer, and can clarify any responses made.
You can also withdraw completely up to ten days after the interview takes place without any
repercussions.

Confidentiality and data management

The interview will be recorded verbatim using a digital recorder. Notes will also be taken manually
by the researcher. The files will be removed from the recording device immediately to be stored
safely on a password protected cloud account. The researcher will be the only person will access to
the file. The researcher will make full transcriptions of the recordings and no third party will be
involved in the process. Data will be anonymised at the point of transcription and a pseudonym
used. Analysis of the data will be undertaken by the researcher alone. Files will be held securely
along with all files associated with the project on a password encrypted cloud account. Analysis of
the data will use appropriate analytical methods. The results will be presented in a research paper
which may be published.

This study has been approved by Barnardos Research Ethics Committee.

If you have any questions about this research please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me,
sinead.lawton@barnardos.ie.

By signing this consent form you agree to participate in the pilot and interview as outlined in the
information sheet.

I……………………………………… voluntarily agree to participate in this research study.

● I have had the purpose and nature of the study explained to me in writing and I have had the
opportunity to ask questions about the study.
● I understand that participation involves taking part in a pilot of an elearning resource and a 45
minute interview and answering questions relating to Barnardos induction training, my
experience as a new employee and the content and design of the online resources.
● I understand that I will not benefit directly from participating in this research.
● I understand that I can withhold answering any question I do not wish to answer during the
interview, and can clarify any responses made.
● I understand that I can withdraw permission to use data from my interview within ten days after
the interview, in which case the material will be deleted.
● I agree to my interview being audio-recorded.
● I understand that all information I provide for this study will be treated confidentially.
● I understand that in any report on the results of this research my identity will remain
anonymous. This will be done by changing my name and disguising any details of my interview
which may reveal my identity or the identity of people I speak about.
● I understand that disguised extracts from my interview may be quoted in the final paper
submitted to DIT and may also be published.
● I understand that signed consent forms and original audio recordings will be retained in a
password protected account until the study is completed.
● I understand that any transcript of this interview in which all identifying information has been
removed will be retained until the study is completed.
● I understand that under freedom of information legalisation I am entitled to access the
information I have provided at any time while it is in storage as specified above.
● I understand that I am free to contact the researcher at any time to seek further clarification and
information.

Signature of research participant ----------------------------------------- ----------------