The first drafts of both forms revealed a lack of consistency, reflecting my initial uncertainty about which methods would be most appropriate for data collection. At an early stage, I considered facilitating a focus group; however, as the project developed, I recognised that a questionnaire (Google Form) would be more practical and better aligned with the course timeline and student availability.
The information sheet and consent form were introduced during the first student briefing, where I outlined the aims of the project, the purpose of the MA Fashion Making Padlet, and how students could locate and engage with it. In retrospect, this meeting was a crucial moment in establishing clarity and awareness, and it played a significant role in the overall success of the project.
Despite my explanation that data collection would take place at a later stage, some students chose to complete the consent form during the meeting. This highlighted a strong initial willingness to engage but also prompted me to reflect on how clear I was explaining about the project and how timing and context can influence participation.
As I was still uncertain about how the project might evolve, I also displayed the information sheet on the studio noticeboard, accompanied by a QR code linking directly to the Making Padlet. This decision was intended to create a less pressure, allowing students time to familiarise themselves with the information and to engage on their own terms, without time constraints.
I frequently observed students pausing at the noticeboard, reading the displayed information, and then scanning the QR code to explore the Padlet. These informal observations reinforced the value of visible, physical prompts within studio spaces and demonstrated how students navigate digital resources in conjunction with their learning environment.
At the start of the Google Form, I included the information sheet and consent form, requiring participants to actively indicate their consent before proceeding. Making consent a mandatory step ensured that ethical considerations remained essential to the data collection process and reinforced my responsibility as a practitioner-researcher.
