Positive feedback from Sian on my proposal

Following a pleasant weekend in Berlin, I returned to some positive news yesterday evening. Sian has responded positively to my proposed research and has made some useful suggestions for the next step forward:

"Hi James

This is looking very good. I really like the way you've pulled this together. I have just a few points, and apologies that the ethics ones seem a bit nitpicky : / :

• I think the second research question is a bit vague, though I see what you're getting at. I think you might tighten it a little to focus on how assessment criteria are defined for multimodal assignments, and how assessors approach the making of quality judgements of these artfacts - something like that?
• On the ethics form, question 5.9 I don't think you need to indicate that the purpose of the research will be concealed: I'm not quite sure what you mean here, but this certainly isn't a piece of covert research, for which particular ethical rationales would need to be given. Just say 'no' to this one...
• On question 6.1, you will need to get consent from interview participants (I can see why the rubric is misleading) - however generating original interview data does require consent. Just use the 'geographies' project one as a template (attached). We can discuss what kind of consent you might need for the observations - probably none so no need to mention that here.
• In section 8.2 - you need to be clear that audio recording will be used (if that's your intention). In 8.3, say that all transcripts and extracts used will be anonymised, rather than that anonymity will be offered. Similarly in 8.4, just say that pseudonyms *will* be used rather than 'where appropriate' (ie for this kind of ethics application anonymity is always appropriate! well, almost always...)

That's pretty much it - if you could revise the ethics application (and the research question, if you agree!) and send it back, we can agree that's the final version.

Then we should meet to discuss getting all this set up - my diary is pretty packed between now and Christmas, I expect yours is too. But monday 10th in the morning? 9 or 10? Or the afternoon of friday 14th?

Great stuff - I think you've really got this underway now.

Sian"

I'll move on these actions right away, including responding to set up a meeting to get things underway. Good news for the time being, however.