Participant Information Sheet

Introduction

Welcome. You have been invited to take part in this project which is focussed on online music teaching and learning in Scotland.

Before you decide to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is

being done and what it will involve.

The project has been commissioned by the Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG) and the research gathered will be shared with them.

Purpose of the project

The aim of the project is to learn about the practices and experiences of participants in online vocal and instrumental music education as a consequence of the ongoing Covid 19 emergency. This is to help us understand what might be learned and taken forward from these practices and experiences.

What is involved in taking part in the project?

If you decide to take part, you will be asked a series of questions in the form of an informal interview on the topic of learning music online.

This will take between 15 – 30 minutes. You do not have to answer any questions that you do not want to and are free to withdraw at any time.

Why have you been invited to take part?

You have been invited to take part because of your involvement in music making and learning.

Do you have to take part?

Participation is voluntary. You may decline to participate and you can withdraw from the

study at any time without having to give a reason.

What are the possible disadvantages and risks in taking part?

There are no known risks to being involved in the study. It would be undertaken as part of your normal activity.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

There may be no direct benefit for yourself or anyone else involved in taking part in this research. The benefits in taking part are that you would be contributing to a project that seeks to develop an understanding of online music education and how it is distributed across Scotland.

Keeping information confidential

All information collected will be dealt with confidentially and all those who participate will not be identified. However, if during the research project, we read or hear anything which may be a cause for concern relating to safeguarding children we will have to inform appropriate agents.

You will be given the option, if you so wish, to have your name included in the report (your name will not be connected to any of the answers or case studies given within the report).

This is simply a way of thanking you for taking the time to take part.

What happens to the information in the project?

Data will be kept only for the purpose of writing up and for no longer than five years thereafter. A report will be written up and presented to MEPG and other organisations and agencies with an interest in music education. Findings of the study will be shared through peer-reviewed and practitioner publications as well as at conference.

Review of the research project

This research project has been reviewed and agreed by the Ethics Committee at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office which implements the Data Protection Act 1998. All personal data on participants will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Thank you for reading this information – please ask any questions if you are unsure about what is written here.

Contact for further information

If you have any questions about this research you can ask me,

Dr Lio Moscardini l.moscardini@rcs.ac.uk

Mr. Rae (andrew.srae@outlook.com),

If you have any questions/concerns, during or after the investigation, or wish to contact an independent person to whom any questions may be directed or further information may be sought from, please contact:

Dr. Stephen Broad (S.Broad@rcs.ac.uk) Convenor of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Ethics Committee,