Focus Group

Stephanie Watkins

Dr. Burke

LIS 5713

February 25, 2018

Topic
I am trying to find out answers about reading incentives and what is working and not

working in the classrooms. I want to know their perspective on implementing a school wide

reading incentive program. I would like to know what their perspective is about managing their

own class literacy program if the school were to implement a new reading program or if they

would expect it fall on the librarian. I would like to see the perspective of parents and admin as

well.

● Is there a decline in motivation to read or reading scores with the loss of the Accelerated

Reading program?

● What are other schools doing to promote reading with the loss of the AR program to

promote reading and reading scores?

Population
I would like to do a focus group with administration from the school, parents, and

teachers, and other librarians in the district.

I will invite the participants by email. I will include information about the purpose of the

focus group and why we are in need of it. I am including parents and teachers because I would

like to get feedback about what motivates their students to read in the classroom and at home. I

am including administration because I would like to know their input on reading scores and if

there has been a decline without the AR program. I would also like to include them to see what

their thoughts are on who would run this new school wide literacy program if it were to be

implemented. All of the schools in the district have gotten rid of the AR program and I would

like to invite other librarians to offer feedback on alternatives and what they have done in their

own schools to promote reading.

 I am inviting 8 people to this focus group because my preferred number of participants is

6. The plan is to have all the participants together at one time to collaborate and hear pros, cons,

and suggestions from different viewpoints.

Details

I will ask another teacher to sit in and take notes on important topics. I will also audio

record the session to go back and listen to details that may have gotten lost in the notes.

There will be coffee, tea, and bagels for the participants that are able to attend. I will use the

student activity fund to purchase these refreshments for attendees. The meeting will be held in

the library in the morning time from 8:00 until 9:45 on March 21, 2018.
Agenda- March 21,2018

Welcome to the literacy focus group!

8:00-8:20- Introductions and time time to grab refreshments.

8:20-8:30- Discuss purpose for focus group.

8:30-8:45- Allow time for questions about the purpose and goals for the focus group.

8:45-9:30- Question and discussion time.

● What motivates the students to read?

● Have you noticed a difference in student’s motivation to read without the AR program?

● Is there a drop in reading scores or grades?

● What are other schools doing to promote literacy?

● Who would manage the literacy program?

● Do we need a school wide program or are students still motivated to read without the

incentives?

9:30-9:45- Reflection and next steps.

Thank you for attending this literacy promotion focus group!

Informed Consent

Project Title: Literacy Promotion at CLI

Principal Investigator: Stephanie Watkins

Department: Library at CLI

1.You are being invited to volunteer for this web survey because you are a member of this school

and community. Your input is valid in making an informed decision on whether or not we need a

literacy program to replace AR and what that replacement would be.

2.Please read this form and ask any questions that you may have before agreeing to take part in

this study.

3. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this focus group is to gather opinions and suggestions

about what motivates students to read and what we can do to replace AR in the school.

4. Number of Participants: About 6 people will participate in this focus group.

5. Procedures: If you agree to share your experiences, you will be asked to participate in this

focus group.

6. Length of Participation : It should take an hour and a half of your time.

7. Risks of participation:There are no known risks to taking part in this study.

8. Benefits of participation: There are no benefits to participation.

9. Compensation: You will not be reimbursed for your time and participation in this

study.
10. Confidentiality: In published reports, there will be no information included that will make it

possible to identify you. Records will be stored securely and only approved personnel will have

access to the records. There are organizations that may inspect and/or copy the research records

for quality assurance and data analysis. I will review this focus group with admin and teachers to

determine a possible agreement and plan for the upcoming school year.

11. Voluntary Nature of the study: Participation in this survey is voluntary. If you withdraw or

decline participation, you will not be penalized or lose benefits or services unrelated to the study.

If you decide to participate, you may decline to answer any question and may choose to

withdraw at any time.

12. Contacts and Questions: If you have concerns or complaints about the study, the researcher

conducting this study can be contacted at smwatkins@baschools.org

13. Contact the researcher if you have questions, or if you have experienced a research related

Injury. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, concerns, or

complaints about the research and wish to talk to someone other than individuals on the research

team or if you cannot reach the research team, you may contact the administration at

tmgreathouse@baschools.org.

14. If you would like a copy of this information to keep for your records you may contact

Stephanie Watkins and she will email you a copy.

The Focus Group will be audio and note recorded. Your consent to participate includes consent

to be recorded. These recordings will be kept completely confidential and used only for research

analysis.
Do you agree to participate in this focus group including being recorded for research purposes?

Yes _____

No _____