Part B: Data Collection Protocol:

Dear Potential Participant:

I am working on a project titled ‘The Impact of Inquiry-Based Learning on Student behaviour’ for the
class, ‘Researching Teaching and Learning 2,’ at Western Sydney University. As part of the project, I am
collecting information to help inform the design of a teacher research proposal.

Inquiry-based learning is a pedagogical approach that aims to include students in the teaching process, to
enable them to become more engaged with their learning. IBL has been shown to be successful in many
cases, but this study aims to find out how student understanding, engagement and enjoyment of their
history lessons before and after the implementation of inquiry-based learning lessons. To collect this
data we will be asking consent from students and their teacher to participate in two surveys, one before
the IBL begin and one after, as well as looking at resources and lesson plans developed by the teacher.

By signing this form, I acknowledge that:

 I have read the project information and have been given the opportunity to discuss the
information and my involvement in the project with the researcher/s.
 The procedures required for the project and the time involved have been explained to me, and
any questions I have about the project have been answered to my satisfaction.
 I consent to participate in two surveys/submitting lesson plans/lesson resources (please circle).
 I understand that my involvement is confidential and that the information gained during this
data collection experience will only be reported within the confines of the ‘Researching Teaching
and Learning 2’ unit, and that all personal details will be de-identified from the data.
 I understand that I can withdraw from the project at any time, without affecting my relationship
with the researcher/s, now or in the future.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I am 18 years of age or older, or I am a full-time university student
who is 17 years old.
Signed: __________________________________
Name: __________________________________
Date: __________________________________
By signing below, I acknowledge that I am the legal guardian of a person who is 16 or 17 years old, and
provide my consent for the person’s participation.
Signed: __________________________________
Name: __________________________________
Date: __________________________________
Lesson Plan Proforma:
Part C: Data Collection Protocol Explanation:
The data collection protocol for this study has been designed to ethically collect data to

contribute to the research field. The collection protocol uses a mixed method approach by

collecting qualitative and quantitative data from student participants to gather measure their

perception of their behaviour and motivation changes before and after being exposed to

inquiry-based learning (IBL).

The surveys will be open for all students in stage four and five history classes, stage six

has been excluded as they are already highly exposed to IBL compared to junior years. The

focus on these stages of students will give a better range of data as their measurements will

show more significant changes than those in stage six. The aim of the study is to gain insight

into students’ perceptions of their behaviour and motivation before and after explicit

exposure to the key principles of IBL, this will aim to add to the small area of IBL research,

as students’ perspectives are not as highly researched (Kervin, Vialle, Howard, Herrington &

Okely, 2016, p.95). This study will be open to all genders, despite the study not being

focused on gender specifics knowing what gender each participant is will help in result

analysis, while also ensuring gender bias does not occur within the study (Kemmis,

McTaggart & Nixon, 2014, p.105). The artefact collection of the lesson plans, will not

directly impact the results of the study, it will simply be used to identify what core attributes

of IBL students were exposed to. The artefacts will simply help with analysis of the data.

To inform the students of the intended study and to gain consent in an ethical way I

will introduce myself and the action research project I am undertaking. During this process I

will supply the potential participants with key background information of the action research

program and what the purpose of it is. Once students have been given all of the information I

will invite them to come and speak to me if they require any further information or

importantly, if they would like to participate in the study. Once students have approached me

to participate in the surveys, I will supply them with the consent form and further information
into the study, I will ensure students are aware that the consent forms need to go home to

their parents/caregivers for them to sign, ensuring their families are aware of their

participation in an action research study and give clear permission for them to do so.

The artefact collection of lesson plans has been chosen over observations due to the aim

of study which is to view how students themselves perceive their behaviour and motivation

changes as a result of IBL exposure. The reason for focusing on data provided solely by the

students is because there was identified gap in this area of research, most studies focused on

what the teachers observed or felt. There were some studies that focused on the impact of

IBL on students that analysed data provided by students, but this study will explicitly focus

on the behavioural changes as a result of IBL.