Title of Study: Sublime Encounters: A phenomenological enquiry into the significance of place relations in outdoor education
About the study
This research is part of a PhD thesis, which is looking into the nature of human relationships with the more-than-human (natural) world in outdoor experiential education through the lens of phenomenology. The study is interdisciplinary in that it is combining philosophical reasoning with qualitative research methods. The qualitative portion of the research will, using autoethnography, seek to capture how I have experienced my relationship with nature through various constructed and non-constructed lived experiences.
Some questions you may have about the research project
Why have you requested my consent and what will I be required to do?
You are being asked for consent because some of the stories and experiences I plan to describe in the research will likely involve you, making you a participant in the data. These stories will be shared from my perspective, and thus may differ from your perspective and/or recollection of the same event. While names in the narratives will be changed to protect anonymity and confidentiality, I recognize that I do not own these stories. These are shared experiences and would likely be represented differently by each member of the group. I acknowledge the subjective nature of memory, and recognize that narratives are not descriptions of fact but rather descriptions of meanings. The meanings described are mine and do not represent those of the group or any individuals within the group.
Additional data may include entries written in group journals that were part of my experiences. Some of these entries may have been authored by you. I will not claim authorship of any entries that are not mine, and the anonymity of the actual author will be protected (references will be cited simply as “group journal”).
While your anonymity will be protected in recorded data and written analyses, it may be possible for a reader to determine your information based on my background information as it connects to your background. For example, a comparison of resumes may indicate that we worked together for a time. As a result, full anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
I may conduct interviews with co-participants from past experiences, which would include you. Participation in an interview is voluntary. The interviews will be recorded with an audio-recording device, and may be conducted through video-conferencing software. Software chosen for this purpose will be analysed for security features to protect privacy. Additional recordings may be made of my reflections on our shared experiences. These electronic files will be stored on my computer and backed up to an external hard drive, both of which are password protected and kept in a locked office. Your name will be changed to a pseudonym in the research to protect your identity, and the electronic files will be destroyed after the research is made public.
In addition to this opportunity to provide consent, you will be given an additional opportunity to read the researcher’s work prior to submission should you choose to do so. At that time, you will have the opportunity to provide comment and/or withdraw your consent without providing a reason.
Other than agreeing to the above, there is nothing more you need to do regarding this research.
What if I do not wish to take part or change my mind during the study?
Your participation in the study is entirely voluntary. You are free to withdraw consent at any time without having to provide a reason for doing so.
What happens to the research data?
The data will be coded, combined into themes, and analysed through a sociocultural lens as well as a philosophical lens that I will develop as part of the research. Data will be stored on a secure, password-protected computer drive and/or in my office, which is kept locked. Prior to submission, all names will be changed to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of participants. Data that is not part of the researcher’s personal library (recorded reflections and interviews) will be destroyed after the research as been made public.
How will the research be reported?
The research will be written into a doctoral thesis and submitted to both the University of Cumbria and Lancaster Univeristy as part of my PhD programme. Some parts of the data may also be delivered in conference papers, journal articles, and/or a book.
How can I find out more information?
Please contact me directly for more info:
Amy Smallwood
amy.smallwood@uni.cumbria.ac.uk
+1 719-239-4482
University of Cumbria Research Office
Lancaster Campus, Lancaster, LA1 3JD
United Kingdom
What if I want to complain about the research
Initially you should contact the researcher directly. However, if you are not satisfied or wish to make a more formal complaint you should contact Diane Cox, Director of Research Office, University of Cumbria, Bowerham Road, Lancaster, LA1 3JD. diane.cox@cumbria.ac.uk