Enhancing consent forms to support participant decision making in multimodal learning research

Advances in the field of multimodal learning research is often accomplished by actively exploring new technologies and techniques related to the collection and analysis of data. However, the exploration of the ethical principles and procedures for governing the usage of the new technologies and techniques is not as eagerly pursued. As multimodal learning data grows in complexity, and to an extent invasiveness, a need is arising to scrutinize the ethical aspects of multimodal learning research. The process of informed consent in multimodal learning research may be an appropriate starting point as the results of bioethical studies suggest that many informed consent processes do not adequately support participant comprehension of the studies they consent to. Studies have shown that enhancing consent forms can improve participant comprehension and contribute to validating the consent received. The following data set include two types of enhanced consent forms: one form is written from a researcher perspective and the other from a participant perspective. Results of the study involving first year undergraduate students suggest that the overall level of comprehension did not differ between conditions. Yet, the participant-oriented consent form had significantly lower rates of enrollment. 

The data set is composed by:

Anonymized Data Sheet: participant responses to the Informed Consent Test for Educational Technology and survey questions

Enhanced Consent Forms: Enhanced consent forms for educational technology research for each condition in the study and in both English and Spanish. Form A is written from a research perspective (researcher-oriented) – which is how most forms are written. Form B is written from a participant perspective (participant-oriented).