MUREP Outcome Student Participant and Principal Investigator Focus Group Protocols

MUREP Outcome Assessment Focus Group Protocol (Principal Investigators)
Thank you for agreeing to participate in our MUREP-Funded Activity Outcome Assessment Focus Group.
Please know that all responses are voluntary. Individual responses will not be shared and only
aggregated; anonymous results will be reported. Please answer each question regarding the MUREPFunded Activity you are involved with.
Informed Consent Information Sheet:
Purpose of this Research/Project: The purpose of the evaluation study is to measure, interpret, and
evaluate the outcomes that MUREP addresses. The findings of this investigation are intended to be used
by NASA (the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) specifically) to inform
prioritization of MUREP investments, activity design, and associated efforts related to sustainability and
lowering of barriers to entry for learners, especially those from groups historically underrepresented
and underserved in STEM.
Targeted MUREP Activities: MUREP activities that have been active for at least one year are the targeted
sample for this study.
Procedures: The research will include a document analysis, surveys, and focus group data collection.
Risks: Participation in this research does not place you at more than minimal risk of harm.
Benefits: While there may be no direct benefit to you as a participant, results from this study will assist
in ensuring that MUREP activities are aligned to federal mandates for Minority Serving Institutions
(MSIs), NASA’s goals and priorities, MUREP program goals and objectives, and evidence-based and
promising practices for STEM Engagement.
Extent of Anonymity and Confidentiality: All the results of this study will be kept confidential. The study
participants names and contact information will be disassociated from responses gathered through the
study’s data collection processes (including from this focus group). All data will be presented in
aggregate. It is possible that the NASA Institutional Review Board (IRB) may view this study’s collected
data for auditing purposes. The IRB is responsible for the oversight of the protection of human subjects
involved in research.
Compensation: None
Freedom to Withdraw: As a participant, you are free to withdraw from a study at any time without
penalty and you may choose to not answer any questions you deem unnecessary.
Subject's Responsibilities: I voluntarily agree to participate in this study. I have the following
responsibilities: Participation in a focus group, participation in an interview, and submit project
documents for analysis by the evaluator.
Contact Information: Should you have any questions about this research or its procedures, you may
contact the principal investigator of this project, Dr. Aime Black, at aime.t.black@nasa.gov.

Introduction Script:
Guardians of Honor was contracted by NASA to conduct an evaluation of Minority University Research
and Education Project (MUREP) portfolio. The purpose of the evaluation study is to measure, interpret,
and evaluate the outcomes that MUREP addresses. The findings of this investigation are intended to be
used by NASA (the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) specifically) to inform
prioritization of MUREP investments, activity design, and associated efforts related to sustainability and
lowering of barriers to entry for learners, especially those from groups historically underrepresented
and underserved in STEM. MUREP-Funded activities that have been active for at least one full year were
selected by NASA for the evaluation. This evaluation will examine both quantitative and qualitative data
to examine outcomes from MUREP-Funded activities to help guide decision-making.
This evaluation is not an assessment of you. In addition, participation in this focus group is voluntary.
You can skip any questions you do not want to answer. This focus group will last approximately 45-60
minutes.
At the end of this evaluation study, we will be writing a report for NASA. We will be summarizing all of
the focus group responses; however, we will not disclose any names or connect your responses to your
specific site. Today, we will be taking notes during our conversation. To ensure accuracy, we would like
to record this conversation. The recording will be deleted after we have summarized your responses.
Are you okay with us recording the interview? Do you have any questions?
Student Recruitment
1. Did you face challenges implementing recruitment activities as planned? Please describe.
a. Has anything been done to address these challenges?
2. Has your recruitment strategy changed since the inception of the program?
3. In regard to recruiting URM students into your program, what has worked well and what has not worked
well?

Student Retention
4. Did you face challenges implementing retention activities as planned? Please describe.
a. Has anything been done to address these challenges?
5. Has your student retention strategy changed since the inception of the program?
6. In regard to retaining URM students into your program, what has worked well and what has not worked
well?

Partnerships
7. What role did strategic partnerships play in the development/implementation/success of your activity?
8. Did you face challenges implementing strategic partnerships as planned? Please explain.
a. Has anything been done to address these challenges?
9. What do you think would have made strategic partnerships more successful?
10. Are you satisfied with the quality of your partnerships?

Cross-cutting
11. What supports, resources, etc. are provided to students to help ensure students are able to engage with
the activity?

12. If allowed, would you apply for funding for this activity again? Why or why not?

Thank you for participating in the focus group. We greatly appreciate your time and feedback.

MUREP Outcome Assessment: Focus Group Protocol (Students)
Thank you for agreeing to participate in our MUREP-Funded Activity Outcome Assessment Focus Group.
Please know that all responses are voluntary. Individual responses will not be shared and only
aggregated; anonymous results will be reported. Please answer each question regarding the MUREPFunded Activity you are involved with.
Informed Consent Information Sheet:
Purpose of this Research/Project: The purpose of the evaluation study is to measure, interpret, and
evaluate the outcomes that MUREP addresses. The findings of this investigation are intended to be used
NASA (the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) specifically) to inform
prioritization of MUREP investments, activity design, and associated efforts related to sustainability and
lowering of barriers to entry for learners, especially those from groups historically underrepresented
and underserved in STEM.
Targeted MUREP Activities: MUREP activities that have been active for at least one year are the targeted
sample for this study.
Procedures: The research will include a document analysis, surveys, and focus group data collection.
Risks: Participation in this research does not place you at more than minimal risk of harm.
Benefits: While there may be no direct benefit to you as a participant, results from this study will assist
in ensuring that MUREP activities are aligned to federal mandates for Minority Serving Institutions
(MSIs), NASA’s goals and priorities, MUREP program goals and objectives, and evidence-based and
promising practices for STEM Engagement.
Extent of Anonymity and Confidentiality: All the results of this study will be kept confidential. The study
participants names and contact information will be disassociated from responses to questionnaires,
interviews, and focus groups. All data will be presented in aggregate. It is possible that the NASA
Institutional Review Board (IRB) may view this study’s collected data for auditing purposes. The IRB is
responsible for the oversight of the protection of human subjects involved in research.
Compensation: None
Freedom to Withdraw: As a participant, you are free to withdraw from a study at any time without
penalty and you may choose to not answer any questions you deem unnecessary.
Subject's Responsibilities: I voluntarily agree to participate in this study. I have the following
responsibilities: Participation in a focus group, participation in an interview, and submit project
documents for analysis by the evaluator.
Contact Information: Should you have any questions about this research or its procedures, you may
contact the principal investigator of this project, Dr. Aime Black, at aime.t.black@nasa.gov.

Use or disclosure of sensitive information contained on this page is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal or
document

Page 4 of 37

Introduction Script:
Guardians of Honor was contracted by NASA to conduct an evaluation of Minority University Research
and Education Project (MUREP) portfolio. The purpose of the evaluation study is to measure, interpret,
and evaluate the outcomes that MUREP addresses. The findings of this investigation are intended to be
used by NASA (the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) specifically) to inform
prioritization of MUREP investments, activity design, and associated efforts related to sustainability and
lowering of barriers to entry for learners, especially those from groups historically underrepresented
and underserved in STEM. MUREP-Funded activities that have been active for at least one full year were
selected by NASA for the evaluation. This evaluation will examine both quantitative and qualitative data
to examine outcomes from MUREP-Funded activities to help guide decision-making.
This evaluation is not an assessment of you. In addition, participation in this focus group is voluntary.
You can skip any questions you do not want to answer. This focus group will last approximately 45-60
minutes.
At the end of this evaluation study, we will be writing a report for NASA. We will be summarizing all of
the focus group responses; however, we will not disclose any names or connect your responses to your
specific site. Today, we will be taking notes during our conversation. To ensure accuracy, we would like
to record this conversation. The recording will be deleted after we have summarized your responses.
Are you okay with us recording the interview? Do you have any questions?
Sense of Belonging
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

In what other ways has your sense of belonging been shaped?
Did the activity make you feel like your competence was valued, if so, how?
Did the activity make you feel socially accepted, if so, how?
Did the activity make you feel involved, if so, how?
Can you relate to the role models involved with the [MUREP-funded activity]? Why or why not?

STEM Identity
6. Thinking back to this picture from the survey, please describe why you selected the option you did.

Use or disclosure of sensitive information contained on this page is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal or
document

Page 5 of 37

Student Recruitment
7. What led you to apply to participate in the MUREP-Funded Activity?
8. What recommendations do you have for improving recruitment?

Student Retention
9. Do plan to stay in a STEM major, if so, why?
10. Do you see yourself pursuing a STEM career, if so, why?

Overall
11. What did you find most beneficial from participating in the MUREP-Funded Activity?
12. Would recommend this activity to your peers, why? Please explain.
Thank you for participating in the focus group. We greatly appreciate your time and feedback.

Use or disclosure of sensitive information contained on this page is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal or
document

Page 6 of 37