Appendices for group mini-research project

1. 1
Appendix One: Demographic Form
Participant ID:
Date:
Socio-Demographics Form
 Gender
Male Female
 Age
16-24 25-35 36-44 45-55 56+
 Health status
(Are diagnosed or have a family history of any mental health illnesses such as anxiety,
depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.)
Yes No
 Ethnicity
Caucasian African Canadian Aboriginal Hispanic Asian
Other
 Marital status
Married Widowed Divorced Separated
Single
 Number of dependents
0 1 2 3 4 or more
 Hours of work per week
0 (does not work) 1 to 24 25 to 40 41 or more
 Nursing education program attended
Post diploma Post degree 2-year 4-year undergraduate degree
 Number of years out of school before returning for the MScN program
1 to 4 5 to 12 13 to 20 21 or more
 Household income
Less than $20,000
$20,000.01 to $40,000
$40,000.01 to $60,000
$60,000.01 to $80,000
$80,000.01 to $100,000
More than $100,000.01
Prefer not to answer

2. 2
Appendix Two: Student Demographics
Appendix Three: Comparison of Student Demographics and GSAS Baseline Scores Between
N=30 N=30
Control group Intervention group
Sociodemographic Characteristics
(n, %) (n, %)
Gender
Male 3 (10.0%) 4 (13.3%)
Female 27 (90.0%) 26 (86.7%)
Age (years)
16-24 7 (23.3%) 6 (20.0%)
25-35 11 (36.7%) 12 (40.0%)
36-44 9 (30.0%) 10 (33.3%)
45-55 2 (6.7%) 2 (6.7%)
56 or older 1 (3.3%) 0 (0.0%)
Ethnicity
Caucasian 11 (36.7%) 12 (40.0%)
African Canadian 9 (30.0%) 9 (30.0%)
Aboriginal 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
Hispanic 2 (6.7%) 2 (6.7%)
Asian 7 (23.3%) 6 (20.0%)
Other 1 (3.3%) 1 (3.3%)
Marital status
Married 16 (53.3%) 16 (53.3%)
Widowed 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
Divorced 3 (10.0%) 3 (10.0%)
Separated 3 (10.0%) 2 (6.7%)
Single 8 (26.7%) 9 (30.0%)
Number of dependents
0 9 (30.0%) 10 (33.3%)
1 6 (20.0%) 5 (16.7%)
2 12 (40.0%) 13 (43.3%)
3 3 (10.0%) 2 (6.7%)
4 or more 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
Hours of work per week
0 (does not work) 5 (16.7%) 6 (20.0%)
1 to 24 21 (70.0%) 19 (63.3%)
25 to 40 4 (13.3%) 5 (16.7%)
41 or more 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
Nursing education program attended
Post diploma 11 (36.7%) 12 (40.0%)
Post degree 2-year 3 (10.0%) 3 (10.0%)
4-year undergraduate degree 16 (53.3%) 15 (50.0%)
Number of years out of school before starting
MScN program
1 to 4 16 (53.3%) 16 (53.3%)
5 to 12 12 (40.0%) 12 (40.0%)
13 to 20 2 (6.7%) 2 (6.7%)
21 or more 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
Household income (gross)
Less than $20,000 9 (30.0%) 9 (30.0%)
$20,000.01 to $40,000 9 (30.0%) 10 (33.3%)
$40,000.01 to $60,000 8 (26.7%) 8 (26.7%)
$60,000.01 to $80,000 4 (13.3%) 3 (10.0%)
$80,000.01 to $100,000 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
More than $100,000.01 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
Prefer not to answer 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)

3. 3
Intervention Group Control Group
Variables
(M±SD) (M±SD)
Gender
Male 48.33±3.22 30.00±3.37
Female 51.22±5.60 33.31±7.18
Age (years)
16-24 46.57±4.32 30.00±5.76
25-35 53.18±5.00 34.50±5.73
36-44 52.89±4.89 34.40±7.95
45-55 48.00±5.66 24.00±1.41
56 or older 45.00 ---
Marital status
Married 49.50±5.63 32.75±6.25
Widowed --- ---
Divorced 52.67±7.64 35.67±4.04
Separated 52.33±0.58 28.00±7.07
Single 52.62±5.29 33.22±8.80
Number of dependents
0 50.11±5.80 30.60±7.55
1 48.67±7.76 36.40±4.45
2 51.92±4.34 33.31±7.36
3 54.00±1.73 32.50±0.71
4 or more --- ---
Hours of work per week
0 (does not work) 50.20±4.15 34.83±7.44
1 to 24 51.57±5.86 31.84±7.01
25 to 40 48.50±4.80 34.40±5.98
More than 40 --- ---
Number of years out of
school before starting
MScN program 50.00±5.60 32.44±6.10
1 to 4 52.50±5.28 34.92±7.32
5 to 12 49.00±5.66 24.00±1.41
13 to 20 --- ---
20 or more
Household income (gross)
Less than $20,000 50.00±5.39 32.11±7.79
$20,000.01 to $40,000 50.67±4.69 32.50±8.09
$40,000.01 to $60,000 53.50±6.53 32.12±4.88
$60,000.01 to $80,000 48.50±4.80 38.33±3.10
$80,000.01 to $100,000 --- ---
More than $100,000.01 --- ---
Prefer not to answer --- ---
NOTE: The maximum score is 70 for the GSAS.
Appendix Four: Informed Consent Form

4. 4
4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3
(416) 736-2100
Consent Form
Study Title: Social Interaction and anxiety in first year MScN online students
Principle Investigators: Denise McFarden mcfarden@yorku.ca
Caitlin Haugh chaugh@yorku.ca
Heather Adler hadler@yorku.ca
Nicole Bastedo nbastedo@yorku.ca
Alysia Cunningham yu288973@yorku.ca
I have been asked to participate in this study because I am enrolled in the online MScN
5300 Quantitative Research Methods in Nursing Science.
The purpose of this study is to understand more about the anxiety levels of online
students, particularly in the Masters of Science Nursing program, at York University. Anxiety
levels are not only affected by course work but are also connected with technological proficiency
and overall life balance. Social interactions that involve getting together with peers, also
enrolled in the course, may or may not assist in decreasing anxiety levels. This study aims to
provide a social interaction between peers in hopes of producing lower levels of anxiety. By
understanding potential interventions that decrease students’ anxiety levels in online courses,
programs can be enhanced to address these concerns for the future.
Participation in this study would involve completing a brief online survey about the level
of anxiety I am experiencing while in the beginning of my nurse graduate degree a two different
time intervals. It will take about 15 minutes to complete. It would also include participation in a
one time social interaction that would involve getting together with other students in my online
course.
Personal risk in this study is minimal. It is possible that you may feel increased anxiety
after filling out the survey since the questions may cause you to dwell more on your anxiety
levels. Students that require assistance in managing their anxiety may contact the Counselling
and Development Centre through York University. Their contact information is included below:
York University, Room N110 Bennett Centre or Student Services

5. 5
Telephone: 416-736-5297
Web Site: www.yorku.ca/cdc
I confirm that I have read and understand the above information explaining the research
project and I have had the opportunity to ask questions about the project.
I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time
without giving reason and without there being any negative consequences. In addition, should I
not wish to answer any particular question(s), I am free to decline.
I understand that my responses will be kept strictly confidential and only the principle
investigators will have access to the data. My name will not be identified on documents but will
be replaced with a participant ID number. In any report or publication I will not be identified
and only group data will be shared.
WHO DO YOU CALL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
If I have any questions about this study I may contact any of the principle investigators at
the e-mail addresses listed above. If I have a concern about the way in which this study is
conducted I can talk to someone who is not involved with the study at all, but who can advise me
on my rights as a participant; I may contact the Office of Research Ethics at York University at
(416) 736-5914.
Study Title: Social Interaction and anxiety in first year MScN online students

6. 6
The study has been fully explained to me and all of my questions have been answered.
I have access to a copy of this consent form.
My signature on this consent form means that I agree to take part in this study.
Please indicate your consent for participating in this study by placing an X in the line marked
“YES”.
____ ____
YES NO
_____________________________________ __________________
Name of Participant Date

7. 7
Appendix Five: Data Collection Instrument
The Graduate Student Anxiety and Stress (GSAS) Scale
Thank you for agreeing to participate in this survey
that hopes to measure how a social aspect of online course
-Strongly Disagree
-Neither Agree or
can reduce your anxiety as a graduate level student.
-Mildly Disagree
-Strongly Agree
-Mildly Agree
In answering the following questions please indicate
Disagree
how you felt since starting the online MScN
program at York University.
1. I would describe my current feelings about this online program as stressful
2. I would say that I am anxious about completing the MScN program
3. I would say that I am anxious about completing the MScN program online
4. I would feel more anxious if there was an in-person component to these
classes
5. I consider socializing an anxiety reducing activity
6. A social component of class would reduce my feelings of stress and anxiety
7. Not knowing other classmates increases my anxiety about taking an online
class
8. I currently enjoy my online classes with no in person components
9. I consider myself to normally have low anxiety

8. 8
10. I consider myself to have good time management skills.
11. I consider myself to have high organizational skills.
12. By taking courses online, I feel isolated from the university
13. I am concerned about my anxiety affecting my grades.
14. I would feel that my grades would be better if I had less anxiety about
taking an online course.