Appendix A.

Informed Consent Form

The effectiveness of professional development program for trilingual education implementation:

STEM teachers’ views

DESCRIPTION: You are invited to participate in a research study on how STEM teachers (Physics, Chemistry,

Computer Science, and Biology) view the effectiveness of professional development program that you took in the

fall 2017 for trilingual education implementation. Your willingness to take part, may, in the future, help to

improve professional development programs for STEM teachers in Kazakhstan. If you give consent the

interviews will be audio-recorded for the research purpose. Your personal information will be anonymous in all

steps of the study including all field notes, computer files, texts, and thesis. Only me as the researcher will have

access to the data. Documents will be kept in a secure location. All collected hard copy documents will be in a

locked desk drawer. All computer files related to the project will be kept in a secure, password based computer.

All audio recordings will be destroyed upon the successful completion of the NUGSE Masters’ thesis.

TIME INVOLVEMENT: Your participation will take approximately 50 minutes.

RISKS AND BENEFITS: The potential risks to participants are minimal. There is very low risk for participants

of being identified in this research study because you have chosen the place where you feel more comfortable for

the interviews. In addition, all the data collected will be kept secure and will not be shared with anyone, including

your colleagues or school administration. You may feel discomfort when answering some questions. No

judgement will be made based on your personal feelings or thoughts, and you have the right to refuse to answer

the question which makes you feel unpleasant or stressed. Your feedback regarding your views on professional

development program will not be used to make judgements about program. The information will not be disclosed

to your employer. The results of this study may contribute to enhance a better policy planning of professional
development programs for trilingual education. Your decision whether or not to participate in this study will not

impact your employment.

PARTICIPANT’S RIGHTS: If you have read this form and have decided to participate in this project, please

understand your participation is voluntary and you have the right to withdraw your consent or discontinue

participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. The

alternative is not to participate. You have the right to refuse to answer particular questions. The results of this

research study may be presented at scientific or professional meetings or published in scientific journals.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Questions: If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about this research, its procedures, risks and

benefits, contact the Master’s Thesis Supervisor for this student work, Sulushash Kerimkulova,

Independent Contact: If you are not satisfied with how this study is being conducted, or if you have any

concerns, complaints, or general questions about the research or your rights as a participant, please contact the

NUGSE Research Committee to speak to someone independent of the research team at +7 7172 709359. You can

also write an email to the NUGSE Research Committee at

Please sign this consent from if you agree to participate in this study.

• I have carefully read the information provided;

• I have been given full information regarding the purpose and procedures of the study;

• I understand how the data collected will be used, and that any confidential information will be seen only by the

researchers and will not be revealed to anyone else;

• I understand that I am free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason;

• With full knowledge of all foregoing, I agree, of my own free will, to participate in this study.

Signature: ____________________ Date: ____________________