Phonetic Distributions Part One

Summary

You are being asked to participate in a research project where you will be asked to provide audio recordings of your speech that will be used for language-related research, education, and technology development. The audio, transcripts, and demographic information, like age and sex, will be published for other researchers, but the information will be anonymous. There are no known risks or benefits to you, although society may benefit. You will not be compensated.

Purpose

The Linguistic Data Consortium is a not-for-profit organization within the University of Pennsylvania that supports language-related education, research, and technology development by creating and sharing linguistic resources including data, tools, and standards. The purpose of this project is to collect data for the research of human language.

Procedures

The study will take place using a computer or mobile device. You will provide contact information, demographic information, and record your speech while describing pictures, all using the computer or mobile device. Your contact information, like name and email address, will not be shared outside of the LDC. Your demographic information, like age and sex, along with the recordings and transcripts of your speech, will be shared with researchers. You will describe a maximum of four pictures, for a maximum of two minutes each. You may be asked to describe the pictures on different days; for example, you may visit a website multiple times on different days.

Each participant will be assigned an anonymous identifier that will be used to tag the speech data. No personal information is connected to the speech data files. Copies of the recording sessions will be distributed from the LDC to individuals and organizations engaged in linguistic research, education, and development. This 'data-sharing' leads to more accurate scientific results and faster progress towards research goals. Individuals and organizations that receive session recordings or transcripts will first agree to use these resources only for linguistic education, research, and technology development purposes. Personal identifying information will not be distributed to organizations receiving the data. At any time, before or after your participation, you should feel free to ask any questions you may have about the project.

Risks

There are no known physical or financial risks associated with participation in this data collection. Personal identifying information, such as name and email, will not be distributed to any organization receiving the audio recordings or their transcripts. Participants are asked not to reveal any identifying information during the sessions that they do not wish to appear in the recordings or transcripts.

Benefits

There is no known benefit to the subject who volunteers to participate in this project at this time. Society as a whole may benefit from this research. It is hoped that this research will lead to advances in language-related science and teaching.

Compensation

You will not receive compensation for participation in this project.

Confidentiality

Every attempt will be made by the investigators to maintain all personal information collected in this study strictly confidential, except as may be required by court order or by law. Authorized representatives of the University of Pennsylvania Institutional Review Board (IRB), a committee charged with protecting the rights and welfare of research subjects, may be provided access to research records that identify you by name. You will not be identified by name in any publications or presentations that may result from this research. Your real name, address, telephone number and any other identifying information that we collect from you will be stored separately from the recorded data at LDC and will never be provided to any organization that receives the session recordings or their transcripts. Participants are asked not to reveal during the sessions any personal or confidential information that they do not wish to be included in the recordings.

Disclaimer / Withdrawal

You agree that your participation in this study is completely voluntary and that you may withdraw at any time. In addition, you have the right to review the recording and request that it be excluded from the study. If, after the recording session has concluded, you feel that you have accidentally revealed personal information about yourself that you do not wish to have released you may request that the information or recording not be included in the collection.

Subject Rights

If you wish further information regarding your rights as a research subject, you may contact the Director of Regulatory Affairs at the University of Pennsylvania by telephoning 215-898-2614. You also understand that if you have any questions pertaining to your participation in this research study, you may contact the primary investigator by calling the telephone number or writing to the email address listed at the top of page one. You have been given the opportunity to ask questions and have had them answered to your satisfaction.

Conclusion

You have read and understand the consent form. By clicking "I Agree" below, you agree to participate in this data collection project.