Why Share Your Data?

The Zoom video recording of your play session during your study participation provides valuable information about child development that other research scientists would like to study. We are seeking your permission for us to share your recordings with a secure database called TalkBank that other researchers can access. The permission form is linked in the email that was sent to you. 

Why share your data? The research community faces several challenges which can slow scientific progress. One significant way to overcome these obstacles is through the sharing of previous video recordings from past research. Donating such data can provide valuable details for scientists to study. This collaborative approach encourages scientific advancement that is efficient in terms of time and money.

It is standard practice in government-funded research like ours to make “de-identified” data available to other researchers. In our study, this includes transcripts of the research visit, with all potentially identifying information removed (e.g., your or your child’s name, any names of other family members or friends, any information about your location, etc.; this means that it is impossible to identify you or your child based on your data), as well as scores on standardized questionnaires. The most common research topics that other researchers might address with these data include questions about how many different words children use at different ages, or how often children and parents ask questions during play. However, the most valuable sources of information for other researchers will include audio and video. This additional information will provide necessary context to make sure that researchers are understanding the specific situations in which you and your child were interacting.

Allowing us to include your data in the TalkBank database will provide an opportunity for other researchers to view and learn from your data. 

With your permission, only those researchers who have been trained in confidentiality, privacy, and ethical use of data would be able to view your data. TalkBank staff (who are researchers themselves) would serve as a gateway for whether or not a researcher could access the data. TalkBank staff would conduct an interview with the researchers to discuss what research questions they intend to address with your data, and what plans they have in place for ensuring continued data security, confidentiality, and privacy. This process would not require anything of you. The only requirement is that you provide permission using the electronic consent form linked in the email we sent you. 

If you change your mind at any point, and you want to remove your video recording from the TalkBank database, you can always email the lead researchers on the Children Learning Language research study at sudha@nyu.edu or rhiannon_luyster@emerson.edu, or you can email the TalkBank administrator at macw@cmu.edu.

Please let us know if you have any questions that you would like answered before you decide. We truly appreciate you and your child’s dedication to furthering scientific discoveries that support child development. 

We sincerely thank you for your continued support!

LEARN Lab and LI+TLE Lab