Appendix B:

Invitation Email to Potential Interview Participants

Name,
Thank you for participating in the first part of my Gender and Language research project by filling out a survey in your 1302 class. As the survey mentioned, there is a second part to this process - the interview - and I would like to invite you to participate in this part. You are one of a few who were selected for this. There is a list of possible times to be interviewed below. If you are interested, please select your best three times and email them to me. If you are not interested, please email me ASAP to let me know so I can select a new person.

The results of these interviews will be used to expand my understanding of gendered language and perceptions of gendered language at Texas Tech. I am using both parts in a project for one of my classes and hope to expand the project to use as a presentation at conferences.
Your participation in my project is completely voluntary. I will tell no one that you have been asked unless you would like me to contact your instructors to let she or he know you participated. Of course there are no negative consequences if you decline, and I do not need to know the reasons why you choose to decline, however please contact me to let me know that you are declining.

I will keep all participants' names and interview responses completely anonymous. I will however, ask for a pseudonym for me to use in my report. If you choose not to give one I may have to assign you one. All of the information from this survey will be kept confidential. I may record the interviews and the tape will be kept in a secure location. Notes and records will be kept on my home computer for further security.
These interviews may be tape recorded for your benefit and mine. If recorded I can refer back to the actual words that you said. This way I can be more sure of the information I have gathered and more sure of your comments.

Due to project deadlines I must complete these interviews in this week (March 19-25). Below is a list of possible interview times. Please select the three best for you. I will assign times on a first come first serve basis, so if you are interested contacting me sooner will better assure your interview times. If you would like to participate but can't make any of the time please contact me and perhaps we can arrange another time. I will contact you shortly after receiving your response to set up the interview time from your requests.
Monday 12- 3:00 pm
Tuesday 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Wednesday 12- 3:00 and 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Thursday 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Friday 10 am -2 pm
All interviews will be conducted (unless otherwise notified) in English 402F, my office. This room can be accessed by taking the elevator or the stairs near the elevator to the 4th floor.

Ms. Jennifer L. Bowie