ChalleNGe Cadet Survey

[insert date]

Dear ChalleNGe Cadet:

Congratulations on being accepted to the [insert name] ChalleNGe program! I work for a company called CNA. The Department of Defense has asked us to do some research on the ChalleNGe program. They want us to see if the ChalleNGe program changes cadets' noncognitive skills. Noncognitive skills are not things that are academic, like math and reading. They are skills like motivation, and whether someone can stick with something.

I am the Principal Investigator for the study. It’s called “The Impact of ChalleNGe on Cadets’ Noncognitive Skills.” For the study, we are collecting data from cadets at seven ChalleNGe programs. We are using a short survey to collect the data. All cadets who want to participate will take the survey when they arrive at ChalleNGe and again before they graduate. The survey asks about your beliefs and attitudes about certain things. There are no right or wrong answers.

I would like you to be a part of our study. You can choose whether or not you want to participate. If you participate, you are free to stop participating at any time. If you don’t want to participate, it won’t affect your admission to ChalleNGe. Please read and sign the enclosed form if you want to be a part of the study. Your parent or guardian will also need to read and sign the form if you are not yet 18. Bring your signed form with you when you come to ChalleNGe if you want to be part of the study.

Thank you for thinking about being in our study. E-mail me at malonel@cna.org or call me at (703) 824-2741 if you have any questions about the study or the form. You can also contact the Study Coordinator, Ms. Jennifer Atkin, at atkinj@cna.org or (703) 407-1048.

Sincerely,

Lauren Malone, Ph.D.

Senior Analyst

CNA

4825 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22311-1850 703-824-2000 www.cna.org