Dear Educator, 

My name is Barbara Adams.  I am conducting research for my dissertation and in partial fulfillment of a PhD in Literacy Studies through Middle Tennessee University.  If you are a teacher, reading specialist, or speech-language pathologist, and work with preschool or early-elementary aged children, I would appreciate your assistance in completing a brief online survey regarding educator knowledge and inference making skills of young learners using the link below.  

Study Description & Purpose – This study is designed to explore teacher knowledge of inference making skills in young learners.  The research questions of interest are:  

* Do educators possess knowledge of the importance of inference making skill in relation to comprehension abilities for young learners? 

* Do educators have adequate knowledge regarding the inference making capabilities of young learners as identified through previous research 

* Are educators familiar with evidence-based instructional methods for inference making for young learners? 

IRB Details:  

• Protocol Title:  Inference Making Skills in Young Learners and Educator Knowledge:  Connecting Research to Practice 
• Primary Investigator:  Barbara L. Adams 
• PI Department & College: Department of Literacy Studies, College of Education, Middle Tennessee State University 
• Faculty Advisor: Eric Oslund 
• Protocol ID22-1175 2q          Approval Date: 07/15/2022           Expiration Date: 07/31/2023 

Target Participant Pool –  Preschool and K-3 educators, including general education teachers, special education teachers, reading specialists, reading coaches, reading interventionists, and speech-language pathologists 

Risks & Discomforts – There are no known risks associated with participation in this study.  Steps have been taken to mitigate any risk of lack of anonymity. In addition, participants may exit the survey at anytime.  

Benefits – There are no direct benefits to the participant.  However, the results from this study will contribute to the currently existing body of research on inference making skills and young learners. 

Additional Information – The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.   

Compensation – There is no compensation for participation in this study. 

Contact Information – Please contact Barbara Adams at bla3m@mtmail.mtsu.edu if you have any questions.  .   

Please enter the survey by clicking the link in the bottom of the email.  You will be given a chance to read the entire informed consent to assist you make a final determination. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Barbara Adams  

Qualtrics link for Survey - https://mtsu.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1BTw7oQvTc7LxJ4