The document is an invitation for students to participate in a research study examining differences in critical success factors between traditional and non-traditional online students at a proprietary college. Participation is voluntary and involves completing a survey, with the incentive of entering a drawing for gift cards. The study ensures confidentiality and outlines the absence of penalties for non-participation or withdrawal.

1. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
1. Letter of Consent
CONSENT TO ACT AS A PARTICIPANT IN A RESEARCH STUDY
Differences in Critical Success Factors for Traditional and Non-Traditional Online Students: A Case Study of a Proprietary
College in Western Pennsylvania
05/14/2009
Dear Student:
My name is Amber Epps and I am the Assistant Chair of the General Education Department at The Art Institute of
Pittsburgh.
I am conducting a research study to determine whether there are differences in critical success factors for traditional
(18-23 years) and non-traditional (24+ years) age online students. I am inviting your participation, which will involve
answering survey questions that will require approximately 15 to 20 minutes of your time.
Your participation in this study is voluntary. Should you choose to participate, you will be entered in a drawing to win one
of three (3) $50 Best Buy gift cards. Your correct student ID number is required in order to be eligible for the drawing.
You do not have to answer any question you do not wish to answer. However, in order to be eligible for the drawing, you
must answer all questions.
If you choose not to participate or to withdraw from the study at any time, there will be no penalty (for example, it will
not affect your grade). There will also be no compensation for your participation. You must be 18 years of age or older
to participate in the study.
There are no foreseeable risks or discomforts involved with your participation.
Your responses will be kept confidential and stored on a password protected USB flash drive. The results of this study
may be used in reports, presentations, or publications but your name and student identification number will not be
used. Most results will only be shared in the aggregate form.
If you have any questions concerning this research study, please feel free to contact me at: amepps@aii.edu. If you
have any questions about your rights as a participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you
can contact the Ai_IRB Academic Affairs Office, 420 Boulevard of the Allies, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh,
PA 15219.
Completion of the survey will be considered your consent to participate.
Sincerely,
Amber M. Epps, M.B.A.
Page 1

2. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
2. Student Demographics (page 1 of 7)
* 1. What is your student ID number?
(In order to be entered into the drawing for one of three (3) $50 Best Buy
gift cards, you must enter your correct student ID number. If you are not
sure what your ID number is, please contact your advisor and log back in to
the survey at a later time.)
2. Please specify your age range:
j
k
l
m
n Under 18 years
j
k
l
m
n 18-23 years
j
k
l
m
n 24-29 years
j
k
l
m
n 30-35 years
j
k
l
m
n 36-41 years
j
k
l
m
n 42-47 years
j
k
l
m
n 48+ years
3. Please specify your gender:
4. Please specify your race:
j
k
l
m
n Black j
k
l
m
n Hispanic
j
k
l
m
n White j
k
l
m
n Middle Eastern
j
k
l
m
n Asian/Pacific Islander j
k
l
m
n Multi-racial
j
k
l
m
n Native American
Other (please specify)
5. Please specify the number of people currently in your household
(including yourself):
Page 2

3. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
6. Do you have children?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
7. Marital status:
8. Is English your first language?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
If No, please specify:
9. Employment status:
j
k
l
m
n Full-time
j
k
l
m
n Part-time
j
k
l
m
n Unemployed
10. Which of the following best describes your situation before enrolling at
this school?
j
k
l
m
n Previously attended college, but did not graduate
j
k
l
m
n Graduated from college and returning to further your education
j
k
l
m
n Have not previously attended or graduated from college
11. Which of the following best describes your educational background
before attending college (not including any previous college experience)?
j
k
l
m
n Graduated from high school or high school equivalent program
j
k
l
m
n Received a GED (General Education Diploma)
12. Are you the first person in your family (only including parents,
grandparents, and siblings) to attend college?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
Page 3

4. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
13. Which of the following best describes your military experience?
j
k
l
m
n Active member
j
k
l
m
n No longer an active member, but previously enrolled (not including high school ROTC)
j
k
l
m
n Never enrolled
Page 4

5. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
3. Online Class Info (page 2 of 7)
14. How many classes are you currently taking online?
15. What quarter are you currently in?
16. Which of the following are you working to achieve at this institution?
j
k
l
m
n Associates Degree
j
k
l
m
n Bachelors Degree
j
k
l
m
n Diploma
Other (please specify)
17. Are you a PLUS student (taking some classes online and some in a
classroom)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
18. What is the primary reason you chose to enroll in online courses with
this institution?
j
k
l
m
n Work full-time
j
k
l
m
n Work part-time
j
k
l
m
n Have family responsibilities
j
k
l
m
n Live too far from a school that offers the program I’m interested in
Other (please specify)
19. Besides the classes you are currently taking, have you taken any other
online classes (not including high school)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
Page 5

6. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
20. Have you taken SS100 (Strategies for Success)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes, I have taken SS100 and passed.
j
k
l
m
n Yes, I have taken SS100, but did not pass.
j
k
l
m
n I am currently taking SS100.
j
k
l
m
n No, I have not taken SS100.
Page 6

7. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
4. Internet Usage (page 3 of 7)
21. Do you currently use the Internet to send and receive email?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
22. Do you currently use the Internet for social networking (MySpace,
Facebook, etc)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
23. Do you currently use the Internet for instant messaging/chat rooms
(AIM, Yahoo, MSN)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
24. Do you currently use the Internet for shopping, to pay bills/banking, or
to check the news/weather?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
25. Do you currently use the Internet to do research?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
26. Do you currently use the Internet for gaming?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
27. Do you currently use the Internet to check message boards, forums, or
newsgroups?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
Page 7

8. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
28. Do you currently use the Internet to read eBooks, magazines, or
journals?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
29. Do you currently use the Internet for any other activities not described
here?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
If yes, please specify
Page 8

9. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
5. Technology & Background (page 4 of 7)
30. In regards to your level of comfort with technology BEFORE taking this
course (CPU101-Computer Literacy), please rate how you agree with the
following statements ( strongly agree / agree / neutral / disagree /
strongly disagree, and N/A means that you cannot answer the statement or
it does not apply to you ).
strongly
strongly agree agree neutral disagree N/A
disagree
I can easily log on to
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
the Internet.
I can easily send and
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
receive an email.
I can easily send and
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
receive an email
attachment.
I can easily acquire
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
information through an
Internet search engine.
I can easily zip and
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
unzip a file.
I can easily check my
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
computer for viruses.
I can easily create a
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
folder and save files in
it.
I can easily type and
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
print a letter using a
word processing
program.
Please answer the following questions (#29-67) in regards to
ONLY your 11th and 12th grade years in high school.
31. How would you classify your family’s economic situation?
j
k
l
m
n Upper-class
j
k
l
m
n Middle-class
j
k
l
m
n Lower-class
j
k
l
m
n In Poverty
Page 9

10. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
32. How many parents/guardians were in the home (including step-
parents, but not including other adult family members)?
j
k
l
m
n Two
j
k
l
m
n One
j
k
l
m
n Zero
Other (please explain)
33. How many people lived in your household (including yourself)?
34. Did you have any children at that time?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
35. Did you have a driver’s license or learner’s permit?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
36. How would you describe the city or town where you lived?
j
k
l
m
n Rural
j
k
l
m
n Suburban
j
k
l
m
n Urban (inner-city)
Other (please specify)
37. Which of the following statements would have best described you
socially?
j
k
l
m
n Outgoing; made friends easily; hung out with a lot of people
j
k
l
m
n Had a small group of friends that were close; didn’t really find a need to make new friends
j
k
l
m
n Extremely close to a small number of friends (3 or fewer); didn’t really associate with many others
j
k
l
m
n Had no friends at all; stayed to self most of the time
Page 10

11. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
6. Personal Computer Usage (page 5 of 7)
[continued] Please answer the following questions in regards to ONLY your
11th and 12th grade years in high school.
38. Did you have a computer in your home?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
39. At the school you attended, were computers available for student use?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
40. Did you use a computer for typing/word processing class and/or to
complete assignments, research papers, or projects?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
41. Did you use a computer for computer-aided drafting, computer
programming, web design, or graphics/art class?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
42. Did you use a computer (not including the Internet) to play games?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
43. Did you have the Internet in your home?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
Page 11

12. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
44. At the school you attended, was Internet access available for student
use?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
j
k
l
m
n Attended an online (virtual) high school
45. Did you use the Internet to send and receive email?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
46. Did you use the Internet for social networking (MySpace, Facebook,
etc)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
47. Did you use the Internet for instant messaging/chat rooms (AIM,
Yahoo, MSN)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
48. Did you use the Internet for shopping, to pay bills/banking, or to check
the news/weather?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
49. Did you use the Internet to do research?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
50. Did you use the Internet for gaming?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
Page 12

13. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
51. Did you use the Internet to check message boards, forums, or
newsgroups?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
52. Did you use the Internet to read eBooks, magazines, or journals?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
53. Did you currently use the Internet for any other activities not described
here?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
If yes, please specify
Page 13

14. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
7. School Info (page 6 of 7)
[continued] Please answer the following questions in regards to ONLY your
11th and 12th grade years in high school.
54. Which of the following applied to you?
j
k
l
m
n Attended a traditional (classroom-based) public school
j
k
l
m
n Attended a traditional (classroom-based) private school
j
k
l
m
n Attended an online (virtual) high school (all classes taken online)
j
k
l
m
n Took some classes online, but also took some in a traditional classroom setting
j
k
l
m
n Was home-schooled
Other (please specify)
55. Were you enrolled in a vocational program (i.e. horticulture, food
service, cosmetology, auto mechanics, child care)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
56. Were you enrolled in Gifted, Honors, or Advanced Placement classes?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
57. Were you enrolled in Special Education/Developmental Education
classes?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
58. Were you on a sports or intramurals team?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
Page 14

15. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
59. Were you involved in any of the following types of extra-curricular
activities (band, symphony, orchestra, chorus, glee club, theater/drama
club, debate club, foreign language club, computer club)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
60. Were you in any of the following types of leadership positions? (choose
all that apply)
c
d
e
f
g Captain of a team (includes cheerleading)
c
d
e
f
g Captain of a club or organization (includes chorus, band, symphony, & orchestra)
c
d
e
f
g Student council (President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer)
c
d
e
f
g Yearbook committee
Other (please specify)
61. Did you do any of the following during the school year (choose all that
apply)?
c
d
e
f
g Held a part-time job
c
d
e
f
g Held a full-time job
c
d
e
f
g Volunteered part-time
c
d
e
f
g None of the above
Other (please specify)
62. How would you describe the level of involvement by your parent
(s)/guardian(s) in regards to your schooling?
j
k
l
m
n Extremely involved
j
k
l
m
n Somewhat involved
j
k
l
m
n Not involved
63. Were your parent(s)/guardian(s) on the school board (not including
PTA)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
Page 15

16. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
64. Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) teach or coach a team at the high
school you attended?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
65. Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) attend parent-teacher conferences?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
66. Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) communicate or keep in contact with
your teachers about your academic performance?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
67. Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) help you with your homework if you
needed assistance?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
68. Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) participate in any of the following
(Parent Teacher Association (PTA), homeroom parent, volunteer to help
with school activities, car pooling for events)?
j
k
l
m
n Yes
j
k
l
m
n No
69. How do you feel about your parent(s)/guardian(s) level of involvement
in regards to your schooling?
j
k
l
m
n I wish there would have been more involvement.
j
k
l
m
n The involvement was just about right.
j
k
l
m
n I wish there would have been less involvement.
Page 16

17. CPU101 SP09_Critical Success Factors
8. Technology (page 7 of 7)
70. In regards to your level of comfort with technology during ONLY your
11th and 12th grade years in high school, please rate how you would have
agreed with the following statements ( strongly agree / agree / neutral /
disagree / strongly disagree, and N/A means that you cannot answer the
statement or it does not apply to you ).
strongly
strongly agree agree neutral disagree N/A
disagree
I could easily log on to
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
the Internet.
I could easily send and
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
receive an email.
I could easily send and
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
receive an email
attachment.
I could easily acquire
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
information through an
Internet search engine.
I could easily zip and
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
unzip a file.
I could easily check my
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
computer for viruses.
I could easily create a
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
folder and save files in
it.
I could easily type and
j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
print a letter using a
word processing
program.
71. Additional comments (not covered by any of the questions in this
survey):
Page 17