1. Research Explanation – Fieldwork Research Methods for Japan
Researcher Name: Nanzan University (student number) (student name)
Research Title: (student’s mini-project title)
Instructor: Robert Croker, Professor, Faculty of Policy Studies, Nanzan University
Research outline:
(1) Research Purpose
Thank you for considering participating in this research project. It is part of a Nanzan University course in the
Center for Japanese Studies, ‘Fieldwork Research Methods for Japan’. The purpose of this course is to learn how
to do fieldwork research, through completing a mini-project. The topic of my mini-project is (short explanation
of student’s mini-project topic).
(2) Research Method
I would like to interview you individually once or twice for about 30 minutes to one hour about my research
topic. With your permission, I may record the interview. I will analyze the information you provide using simple
thematic and statistical methods.
(3) Release of Results
I will give a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation to the others students in the Fieldwork Research Methods for
Japan class in the final class in December 2014. I will also write a 2500-word fieldwork report or create a
password-protected web page in December 2014. The instructor may show my PowerPoint presentation, class
report and web page to students of future Fieldwork Research Methods for Japan classes.
Protecting your personal information:
I understand that you may be worried about how I will handle the information that you share with me. I will use
a number of strategies to protect your personal information and your privacy.
I will protect your identity by not writing your name or the names of people that you say while I take notes in the
interview; instead, I will create new, different names, and use these in my fieldnotes, class presentation, class
report, and web page. No photos that could identify you will be used in the class presentation, class report, and
web page.
I will keep all the information I collect in a ‘research folder’ in a locked drawer in the dormitory or homestay. All
electronic data will be on a password-protected memory stick that I also keep in this locked drawer; no data will
be kept on my computer hard-drive.
At the end of the Fieldwork Research Methods for Japan course in December 2014, all data will be securely
destroyed. Physical data will be securely shredded, and electronic data securely deleted. I will complete a
checklist and submit this to the course instructor, to show that I’ve done this.
If you have any concerns about how I will handle the information that you provide in your interview, please feel
free to discuss this with me at any time.
Impact and safety management:
In the interview, the questions that I would like to ask you are not designed to get you to explore painful or
distressing memories or experiences. However, please let me know if you sense that a question or topic may do
so, and only answer questions that you feel will you can answer comfortably. You have the right not to answer
any question, to stop the interview at any point, and to withdraw from this mini-project at any time.
2. Research Explanation: Fieldwork Research Methods for Japan
Page 2 of 2
Informed consent:
□ my participation in this research is voluntary
□ I will not be disadvantaged by choosing not to participate in this research project
□ I will have the opportunity to discuss with the researcher what information I provide before
participating in the research project
□ only the information that I want kept will be kept
□ I will be able to view my data if I so request
□ information that I share with the researcher will not be provided to a third party without my permission
□ I will able to withdraw my agreement to participate in this research project at any stage verbally or in
writing, even after agreeing to participate
□ I will not be disadvantaged in any way by withdrawing from this research project
□ my data will immediately be destroyed upon my withdrawal from this research project
□ all of my personal data will be securely destroyed in December 2014 at the end of the Fieldwork
Research Methods for Japan course, except for the presentation, report, and web-page
Explained by (name of researcher) ____________________________________________________
to (name of the participant) ____________________________________________________
on (date) __________________________________
at (location) ____________________________________________________
Research supervision:
If you have any further questions about this ‘Fieldwork Research Methods for Japan’ class, or about this mini-project,
please contact:
Robert Croker, Professor, Faculty of Policy Studies, Nanzan University
090-3953-9639 or <croker@nanzan-u.ac.jp>
