Before the Interview
Interview Participants will be asked to fulfill a screening questionnaire, which includes questions about your demographics in terms of race, ethnicity, sexuality and gender identity, and disabilities. This will help our team ensure that you are a match for the project and help us make sure we are recruiting a diverse representation among our participants.
We will also ask that you sign a consent form that covers topics such as the possible risks and benefits of participation, privacy protection, and the purpose of the study more in-depth. One of our top priorities during the Pathways project is to be as transparent as possible about our goals, methods, and research while still protecting the identities of interview participants.
View a copy of the consent form here.
Once the screening questionnaire and consent forms have been filed, one of the Research Assistants in your area (as determined by the 9 NYS regional library councils) will reach out and set up an interview time and location. These factors will be decided upon between the Research Assistant and yourself in order to allow you to vocalize in what setting you would be most comfortable discussing your individual pathways. Recommendations for locations might include: neutral locations such as reservable rooms at various academic and/or public libraries, co-working spaces, conference rooms, cafes, coffee shops, and parks or other outdoor spaces. Your residence may be an option as well, depending on the comfort level of both yourself and the Research Assistant.
During this discussion, you are also encouraged to mention any accommodations you may need. Part of the Research Assistant training will be in how to make the interview process more accessible, but in order to properly set up any extra accommodations we ask for prior notification.
If you have any questions that have not been answered either through this website, or by the consent form, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Rachel Ivy Clarke at rclark01@syr.edu or 315-443-2086.
During the Interview
During the interview itself, you will be asked a few basic questions, similar to those on the screening questionnaire. Then the Research Assistant will provide the necessary tools to create a Journey Map (paper, drawing utensils, etc.). You will then be able to create your Map however you see fit on your own timeline. Research Assistants will not be asking any questions during the construction of your timeline, but may have some clarifying questions after you have completed your Map.
Both the interview, through an audio recording, and a picture of your Journey Map will then be filed in a secure network only accessible by Research Assistants and the Pathways team. Your map may also be published on this website, depending on your consent form.
After completion of the interview, you will be compensated for your time with a $20 Amazon gift card. If you begin the session, but decide to withdraw from the study, you will be compensated with a pro-rated Amazon gift card. For participation of more than 30 minutes, you will receive the full amount. For participation of less than 30 minutes, you will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.
If you choose to withdraw prior to the journey mapping session, no compensation will be given.
PARTICIPATION IS VOLUNTARY. YOU ARE FREE TO SKIP AND/OR REFUSE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION. YOU ARE ALSO FREE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE STUDY AT ANY TIME.
If any questions, concerns, or comments about the study, the process, or the interview arise, please contact Dr. Rachel Ivy Clarke at rclark01@syr.edu or 315-443-2086 and/or your designated Research Assistant.
If participating in the journey mapping process sounds interesting, please fill out our form here!