Math and Computer Science Attitudes at the Introductory Level
Cynthia Taylor and Steve Balady are conducting a study to evaluate student attitudes towards math and computer science. You have been asked to participate in this study because you are (1) at least 18 years of age and (2) are enrolled in CSCI 150, Math 133, or Math 131.

Participating in this study involves completing taking a ten minute survey.  If you are enrolled in both CSCI 150 and Math 133 or Math 131, your surveys may be compared across courses.  Your T-number may also be used for demographic information.

You can complete the assignment AND decline to participate in the study by responding “NO” below.  If you decline participation, your answers will not be included in the study.  You will receive participation credit for completing this assignment regardless of whether you consent to have your answers used in the study.  Choosing to participate (or not) in this study will not affect your grade in this or any other class.

What risks are associated with this study?

Participation in this study may involve some added risks beyond those associated with taking the class. The main risk is a potential for the loss of confidentiality.  The principal researchers in this study will have access to assignment results.   At the end of the year, this data will have any personally identifying information (Name/T-number) removed and this data will be maintained on a secure system.  Only aggregated results will be reported outside of the research team.  Research records will be kept confidential to the extent allowed by law.

If you elect to participate in this survey, you will be asked to consent to your participation.  Your consent will be the only question asking for personal identifiable information and is retained to retain a record of your consent.  This identifiable information will be removed from the data before analysis and will not be available to other participating institutions.  Because the assignment asks you about your attitudes about the subject matter of this course, there is the potential for minor discomfort in answering these questions.

Because this is a research study, there may also be some unknown risks that are currently unforeseeable. You will be informed of any significant new findings.

What are the alternatives to participating in this study?

Participation in this research is completely voluntary. The alternative to participation is no participation.  If you decide not to participate, or to discontinue your participation, we will exclude your data from our analysis.  You can still complete the assignment (for credit) even if you chose not to participate.  To be clear, your decision to participate or not participate will have no effect on your activities in your CSCI150/Math 133/Math 131 class or your grades in that class.  

What benefits can be reasonably expected?

Although there is no direct benefit to your participation in this study, answering questions on your attitudes towards the subject matter of the course may positively change your habits of mind regarding the course.  In addition, the investigators may learn more about how to improve CSE and Math education at Oberlin and beyond, and you may indirectly benefit from this knowledge.

Can you choose to not participate or withdraw from the study without penalty or loss of benefits?

Participation in research is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw your participation from this study at any time.   If you decide that you no longer wish to continue in this study, just inform Cynthia Taylor or Steve Balady.
 
Can you be withdrawn from the study without your consent?

The PI may remove you from the study without your consent if the PI feels it is in your best interest or the best interest of the study.

Will you be compensated for participating in this study?

You will not be compensated for your participation in the survey.

Are there any costs associated with participating in this study?

There will be no cost to you for participating in this study.

Who can you call if you have questions?

Professor Cynthia Taylor, Steve Balady and/or your course instructor has explained this study to you and answered your questions. If you have other questions or research-related problems, you may reach Cynthia Taylor at 440 775 8372, or you can send email to ctaylor@oberlin.edu. You may also call Daphne John, IRB Chair, at the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences, Cox 101, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074; (440) 775–8410, daphne.john@oberlin.edu to inquire about your rights as a research subject or to report research-related problems.

Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
I am over 18
Clear selection
I consent to have my answers used in this study
Clear selection
Name
T-Number
Computer Attitudes Survey
This is a survey of your attitudes and perceptions about computer science. These statements all have the response choices Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree and Strongly Disagree. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Choose the response that matches your opinion, not what you think an instructor might say or want to hear.
1. After I study a topic in computer science and feel that I understand it, I have difficulty solving problems on the same topic.
Clear selection
2. Errors generated by computers are random, and when they happen there’s not much I can do to understand why.
Clear selection
3. If I want to apply a method used for solving one computer science problem to another problem, the problems must involve very similar situations.
Clear selection
4. I can usually figure out a way to solve computer science problems.
Clear selection
 5. When I solve a computer science problem, I break it into smaller parts and solve them one at a time.
Clear selection
6. I do not spend more than five minutes stuck on a computer science problem before giving up or seeking help from someone else.
Clear selection
7. There are times I solve a computer science problem more than one way to help my understanding.
Clear selection
8. I think about the computer science I experience in everyday life.
Clear selection
9. Tools and techniques from computer science can be useful in the study of other disciplines (e.g. biology, art, business).
Clear selection
10. When working on a computer science problem I find it useful to brainstorm about solution strategies before writing code
Clear selection
11. I find the challenge of solving computer science problems motivating.
Clear selection
12. When studying computer science, I relate the important information to what I already know, rather than just memorizing it the way it is presented.
Clear selection
13. I enjoy solving computer science problems.
Clear selection
14. Reasoning skills used to understand computer science can be helpful to me in my everyday life.
Clear selection
15. Learning computer science is just about learning how to program in different languages.
Clear selection
16. When I am working on a computer science program, I try to decide what reasonable output values would be.
Clear selection
17. When I’m trying to learn something new in computer science, I find it useful to write a small program to see how it works.
Clear selection
18. A significant problem in learning computer science is being able to memorize all the information I need to know.
Clear selection
19. We use this statement to discard the survey of people who are not reading the questions. Please select Agree (not Strongly Agree) for this question.
Clear selection
20. Understanding computer science basically means being able to recall something you’ve read or been shown.
Clear selection
21. If I get stuck on a computer science problem, there is no chance I’ll figure it out on my own.
Clear selection
22. The subject of computer science has little relation to what I experience in the real world.
Clear selection
23. There is usually only one correct approach to solving a computer science problem.
Clear selection
24. To learn computer science, I only need to memorize solutions to sample problems.
Clear selection
25. I worry that mistakes I make when writing a program may damage my computer.
Clear selection
26. I am interested in learning more about computer science.
Clear selection
27. How much prior experience do you have with computer science?  Check all that apply.
Submit
Clear form
Never submit passwords through Google Forms.
This form was created inside of Oberlin College.

Does this form look suspicious? Report

Google Forms