Name of Organization: University of St. La Salle
Name of Sponsor: Center for Research and Engagement
Name of Project and Version: Graduate Tracer Study
PART I: INFORMATION SHEET
INTRODUCTION
The Graduate Tracer Study Team would like to invite you to participate in the research we are doing. You may talk to anyone whom you feel comfortable
talking with about the research and that you can take time to reflect on whether you want to participate or not. We would like to assure you that if you do not understand some of the words or concepts, the team will take time to explain as we get along and that you can ask questions now or later.
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH
The study aims to track the career paths of USLS graduates from Academic Year 2017-2018 to AY 2019-2020, as well as solicit feedbacks on how to improve the degree programs and services of the institution. The purpose is further specified in the succeeding paragraphs.
First, the study intends to identify the demographic and academic profile of the USLS graduate respondents according to: Personal Information, Educational Information, and the pursuit and completion of graduate studies at USLS or other institutions; to identify the employment status of the USLS graduate according to: first job after graduation, current employment, previous employment and other jobs and course-related information.
Second, it aims to identify the usefulness of the seminars, training, and workshops the USLS graduates received while studying at USLS according to: subject-based training received; internship received; and educational experience.
Lastly, it seeks to determine the participation and suggestions of the USLS graduate in alumni in the identified alumni activities.
PARTICIPANT SELECTION
You are carefully chosen to be part of the target 3778 respondents of the study. You are one of the USLS graduates for the AY 2017-2018 to AY 2019-2020 from the 5 colleges namely, College of Arts and Sciences, Yu An Log-College of Business and Accountancy, College of Engineering and Technology, College of Education, and College of Nursing.
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
You have the choice to participate or not. Thus, your participation is voluntary.
PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOL
The instrument that you will be answering is adapted from the developed instrument done by (Olivares, et. al, (2008) and Torres (2017) The approval of the Ethics Committee were obtained before the conduct of the study.
You were identified with the help of the department of your respective colleges. They were provided with the link to the online form. You were then reached through various social media platforms, email, mobile numbers, landlines, and alumni groups through various alumni batches. Personal messages may also have been sent by USLS faculty directly to you.
Moreover, other faculty members were also utilized to tap the information found in the yearbooks of the USLS graduates which are included in the designated scope of the study. Internal dissemination of information was carried out with postings of announcement in all offices of the institution.
The deployment of the official link is from January 9. 2023, until February 28, 2023. The research questionnaire is administered online as an internet survey. The free online Google Form application is utilized to deploy the survey questionnaire online. Data will be captured using the online form and stored using the free Google Sheets application.
Your response will be part of the official USLS sub-domain link https://usls.edu.ph/overviews/page/Tracer-Study. This may take about 10 to 15 minutes to answer.
FOR QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEYS
The survey questionnaire may be answered on your own. However, if you opt for a face-to-face session, this may be read to you and you may answer aloud, to be written down by a member of the research team.
Your consent may be given verbally or in written form by clicking the YES option in the online survey. However, the researchers can also provide a printed copy of your signed Informed Consent Form (ICF). You may reach the researchers if you have questions.
We would like to assure you that if you do not wish to answer any of the questions, this may be skipped and you can proceed to the next question. The information recorded is confidential, your name is not included on the forms, only a number will identify you, and no one else except the research team will have access to the results of the survey.
DURATION
Deployment of the official link will start on January 9, 2023 until February 28, 2023 and will utilize the help of the various departments of the involved colleges.
RISKS
The data gathered will be handled with anonymity and confidentiality. If you are uncomfortable answering any of the items in the survey questionnaire, you may skip questions.
BENEFITS
Aside from the administration, deans, department chairs, faculty, Career and Development Office, Alumni Relations and Center for Research and Engagement Office, you will also greatly benefit from the study. This may serve as your baseline data for any future researches and alumni activities that may enrich you as the graduate of this institution. Affiliations and training may be envisioned from these data too.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The research team will maintain the confidentiality of data, especially with respect to the information about the participant which would otherwise be known and be made available to the entire research team. The researchers also will respect any individual taking part in the research. In addition, password will be in placed and Google Protective Drive will be utilized.
SHARING THE RESULTS
The results will be shared by the Center for Research and Engagement. This may also include the research presentation and publication.
RIGHT TO REFUSE OR WITHDRAW
Your participation is voluntary and includes the right to withdraw. Thus, there will be no monetary compensation or expense reimbursements offered for the participation.
WHO TO CONTACT
In case of questions you may contact the following:
1. urc@usls.edu.ph - Center for Research and Engagement, University of St. La Salle
2. Mr. Dante D. Gustilo Jr. - d.gustilo@usls.edu.ph - (034) 435-2595 or local 137
3. Dr. Cynthia S. Dy - c.dy@usls.edu.ph - Mobile Number: 09997619012
