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APPENDIX G Consent Form

Title of Study: Principal Investigator:

Effect of Topical Knowledge on L2 Writing Performance Dr. Ling Shi, Associate Professor Department of Language and Literacy Education, Faculty of Education, UBC Phone: 604 822-4335 Email: ling.shi@ubc.ca Ling He PhD. Candidate Program of Teaching English as a Second Language Department of Language and Literacy Education, Faculty of Education, UBC Phone: 604-2218863 Email: lingheli@interchange.ubc.ca

Co-Investigator:

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of content and cultural knowledge on L2 test takers writing performance. Specifically, it will examine the relationship between topic and cultural knowledge required by the writing prompts and the students writing performances. Procedures: If you choose to become involved in this study, you will be asked both semistructured and open-ended questions regarding your experience of writing two writing topics. The interview will be recorded. Amount of time required: 30 minutes for the interview and 1 hour for writing each prompt. If needed, I will cross check with the participants the researchers report and interpretation of the data. Thus, the total time involved will be 2.5 hours at most. Rights: Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary, and you have the right to refuse to participate, or withdraw at any time. During the interview, you can refuse to answer any of the questions.

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Confidentiality: To ensure the confidentiality of the data, you and your institute will be assigned pseudonyms. These names will be used in the researchers notes and data analysis and in the poster. Compensation and benefits for participants: To thank you for your participation in the study, I will provide free tutoring or lecture to comment about your writing on two prompts you will write and answer your question about your writing on two prompts. You will not receive any payment as a result of your participation in this study. Contact for information about the study: If you are willing to participate in this study, contact Ling He by telephone at 604-221-8863 or by email lingheli@interchange.ubc.ca. If you have any questions about this study, you may contact Ling He. You may also contact our professor, Dr. Ling Shi by telephone (604-822-4345) or e-mail (ling.shi@ubc.ca). Contact for concerns about the rights of research subjects: If you have any concerns about you rights as participants in this study, you may contact the Research Subject Information Line in the UBC Office of Research Services and Administration at 604-822-8598.

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Consent Form
I have read the consent form and recognize that my participation in this study is entirely voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time during the course of the study without consequence. I understand that any information resulting from this study will be strictly confidential. I realize that I may ask for further information about this study if I wish to do so at any time. I have received a copy of this consent form for my own records. I agree to participate in this study.

_____________________________ Subject Signature

_____________________________ Date

_____________________________ Print Name of the Subject