Introduction to Biostatistics (STAT E-102)
Information for Research Subjects and Research Questionnaire
Since biostatistics is not widely available in many colleges, an “Introduction to Biostatistics” course is a particularly attractive course to offer via distance education. However, an evaluation of: (1) the effectiveness of student learning and (2) student evaluation of such a course is lacking. We plan to investigate these research questions using data from the “Introduction to Biostatics” course (STAT E-102) offered at Harvard Extension School. We propose to evaluate these questions by comparing the grades and course evaluations of distance and hybrid students to traditional students that have been enrolled in the course. As a student you are invited to take part in this research. Please read the information below before completing the questionnaire. 1. The only time or effort required to participate in this project is the time necessary to fill out this 3-5 minute questionnaire. 2. Your confidentiality will be strictly enforced. No participant will be individually identifiable in the analysis report or any resulting publication. 3. No foreseeable risks, discomforts, or costs are expected. 4. No direct benefits are expected. However, knowledge of the effects of distance education in biostatistics may be improved thus resulting in the betterment of education. 5. Participation in this research is voluntary. Refusal to participate will not involve any penalty and will in no way affect your grade in this class. 6. All students will be treated equivalently. 7. Questions regarding this research may be directed to Scott Evans (srevans@hsph.harvard.edu). 8. The course instructors will not review these questionnaires prior to a course grade being assigned. Questionnaires will be held without review until final course grades have been assigned and submitted.
Name (please print): Age (years): Gender (0=male, 1=female): Race/Ethnic Group (0=White, 1=Black, 2=Hispanic, 3=Asian, 4=Native American, 5=other): Do you have a Ph.D.? (0=no, 1=yes): Do you have an M.D.? (0=no, 1=yes): Do you have a Masters degree? (0=no, 1=yes): Do you have a Bachelors degree? (0=no, 1=yes): Have you had a statistics or biostatistics course before? (0=no, 1=yes): Were/are you a mathematics (or statistics) major? (0=no, 1=yes): Is this class a requirement? (0=no, 1=yes): Where do you work? Full-time student (0) Academic Institution (1) Hospital (2) Pharmaceutical Company (3) Biotechnology Company (4) Government (5) Other (6): ____________________________ You have signed-up for this course as what type of student? Not a Distance Student (0) - I would attend all of the on-campus meetings on campus if they were offered. Distance Student (1) - I live outside the New England area (MA, CT, ME, NH, RI, VT). If on-campus lectures or sections were held, I would not be able to attend them. Local Distance Student (2) - I live in the New England area (MA, CT, ME, NH, RI, VT), but I would not ever attend an on-campus lecture or section meeting and hence I consider myself a distance student. Hybrid Distance Student (3) - I would attend at least some of the lecture or section meetings on campus and view some of the section meetings over the Internet. How many lectures did you attend throughout the semester? ___________ How many TA section meetings did you attend throughout the semester? ___________ Please rate the course overall on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (very good): ____________. Please rate the instructor overall on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (very good): __________.