Join SpeakSoftly

Thank you for deciding to use SpeakSoftly.

1. The first thing you need to do is read the Information Sheet, below. This explains the SpeakSoftly project, and the research being run in conjunction with the project. When you have read the information, click on the "I have read the information above" button.
2. Then you will need to fill out some personal information in the registration form on the following page. We will never share this information with anyone outside the SpeakSoftly project, and will only use it for the purpose for which it was provided (View Privacy Policy). Once you have done this, you will be able to log in to the SpeakSoftly lessons at any time, using the email address and password you supply.
3. As you do the lessons, make sure you complete the quiz at the end of each one. When you have finished all the lessons, we would like you to complete a brief survey about your experience with SpeakSoftly. You will then be eligible to receive a SpeakSoftly certificate of completion.

SpeakSoftly Information Sheet

Evaluation of Speak Softly Online Environmental Negotiation Training

Research Undertaken By: Master of Natural Resouces candidate Mr Ben McDonald supervised by Julian Prior and Lisa Lobry de Bruyn,
Ecosystem Management,
The University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351

Outline of the Speak Softly Project

The Speak Softly Project provides members of the community with the opportunity to undertake basic training in environmental negotiation. The project involves both Web-based online training in environmental negotiation as well as face to face training. Within the next twelve months it is intended to evaluate the educational outcomes and participant satisfaction of both the online and face to face training.

In the medium to longer term it is intended to evaluate the impacts of environmental negotiation training upon the progress and outcomes of environmental negotiations.

Outline of the Research Component of the Speaksoftly Project

The objective of this phase of the research component of the project is to assess the educational value, usefulness, and ease of use of the online negotiation training.

This research has four components:

1. Assessment of participation rates, attrition rates and completion rates of the online training.
2. Assessment of educational value, utility, and ease of use of the online training.
3. Level of participant satisfaction with the online training
4. Identification of potential improvements to the online training.

Participation in this Research

You can participate in this research project in three ways.

1. Log on to this website and undertake the online training.
2. When you have completed the five Speak Softly Lessons you will be invited to complete a final evaluation questionnaire designed to gain your opinions about the training you have undertaken. This questionnaire should take about 10 minutes to complete.
3. A small number of those who have completed both the online training and evaluation questionnaire will be invited to undertake a 15 minute telephone interview to gain additional opinions of the online training.

Participation in each of the three stages of the research is entirely voluntary and you may withdraw at any time. Undertaking the online negotiation training does not mean that you must complete the final evaluation; nor does completing the online evaluation questionnaire mean that you must participate in the later telephone interview.

Participant Confidentiality

Your confidentiality will be maintained throughout this research. At no time will the information you provide be used in any way that will allow you as an individual to be identified.

If you have any queries in relation to the research component of the Speak Softly Project, please contact either of the researchers,

• Mr Julian Prior: Ph 0267733610, email: jprior@une.edu.au; Address: Ecosystem Management, UNE Armidale, NSW 2351.
• Dr Lisa Lobry de Bruyn: Ph 0267733119, email: llobryde@une.edu.au; Address: Ecosystem Management, UNE Armidale, NSW 2351.

The results of this research study will ultimately be included within a Master of Natural Resources Thesis which will be held within the Dixon Library at UNE and may be accessed there by any interested member of the community.

This research has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of New England (Approval No HEO7/110; Valid to 20./06./08).

Should you have any complaints concerning the manner in which this research is conducted, please contact the Research Ethics Officer at the following address:

Research Services,
University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351
Telephone: (02) 6773 3449 Facsimile: (02) 6773 3543
Email: Ethics@pobox.une.edu.au

Thank You.