Research team contacts

Principal Researcher:

Associate Professor Sofia Mavropoulou, School of Early Childhood & Inclusive Education, QUT

Associate Researcher:

Professor Beth Saggers, School of Early Childhood & Inclusive Education, QUT

Research Student:

Queenie (Ying) Sun, Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, QUT

Research Centre / Group:

Centre for Inclusive Education

What is the purpose of this research?

The purpose of this research is to explore Australian Year 1, 2 and/or 3 teachers' knowledge, perceptions, and teaching practices to support self-determination in autistic students in years 1-3 in inclusive contexts.

Are you looking for people like me?

The research team is looking for teachers supporting autistic students in Years 1, 2, and/or 3, in inclusive schools.

What will you ask me to do?

Your participation will involve responding to an online survey (20 min) and/or attending an online interview (30 min).

Are there any risks for me in taking part?

Potential risks for your involvement in the online survey may include time inconvenience, discomfort, or identification. However, the research team will endeavour to minimise these risks by taking the following measures:

  • Inconvenience: The researcher included only the necessary survey questions, thereby reducing the survey completion time to 20 minutes. The survey in Qualtrics is easy to access and complete.
  • Discomfort: You can choose to quit the survey at any time or skip any questions that may cause discomfort before submitting the survey.
  • Identification: This is an anonymous survey, reducing the risk of identification.

Potential risks for your participation in the interview may include time inconvenience, discomfort, or identification. However, the research team will endeavour to minimise potential risks by taking the following measures:

  • Inconvenience: The interview will be scheduled at your convenient date/time, and it will take about one hour.
  • Discomfort: You have the right to decline to answer any interview questions at any time. Prior to the interview, you will receive a written list of interview questions to familiarise yourself with the interview guide.
  • Identification: Your interview responses will be treated as confidential. Codes (e.g. T1 for Teacher 1) will be used during data analysis to maintain anonymity and all personal information (i.e. student names, school names) will be de-identified. You will also be given the option to request removal of your data within four weeks after the interview.

If you do agree to participate, you can withdraw from the research project during your participation without comment or penalty. Once you submit it, you cannot withdraw and partially completed surveys will also be considered data.

Are there any benefits for me in taking part?

It is expected that this research project will not benefit you directly. The outcomes of the research, however, may benefit autistic learners in Years 1-3 in inclusive mainstream settings. You will be able to access the thesis outcomes through QUT e-prints and journal papers.

Will I be compensated for my time?

You will not be compensated for your time (20 min) to complete the survey. If you choose to attend an online interview, the research team will offer a $30 gift card, in compensation for your time.

I am interested - what should I do next?

Access the participant information sheet and take the survey

After you have read and understood the information regarding your participation, you may then choose to proceed to complete the survey.  Your consent is implied through your completion of the survey.

If you wish to attend the interview only, contact Ms Ying Sun via email y81.sun@hdr.qut.edu.au or phone 07 3138 3469.

You will be provided with further information to ensure that your decision and consent to participate is fully informed.

QUT Ethics Number: 7298