CONSENT FORM Spoken Word Recognition in Early Language Acquisition
THE PROJECT The purpose of this Brown University research project is to investigate how infants begin to recognize and comprehend words in fluent speech. Much of what we know about language involves knowledge of words. What do words mean? How can words be combined in sentences? When is it appropriate to use particular words? Learning about words is central to acquiring language. To learn facts about words, we must first be able to recognize the words themselves. This is complicated because no word is ever said exactly the same way twice. To recognize words successfully, infants must solve three types of problems. The first is segmentation . Where in speech do words begin and end? In print, there are helpful spaces between words. In speech, however, words are not usually separated by pauses. The second problem is representation . What changes in pronunciation are important? In English, a word may be said in different tones of voice. In Chinese, however, different tones make different words! The third problem is identification . If we hear an instance of “dog,” how do we retrieve knowledge relating to the word “dog”? In this research project, we are interested in learning more about how and when infants succeed in solving these problems. We are also interested in how progress on each problem is related to progress on the others.
WHAT WILL BE DONE We will play speech for your baby to hear, and we will measure where and for how long your baby looks. Throughout the session you will hold your baby on your lap. The session will last 10-15 minutes. To avoid influencing your baby's behavior, you will listen to music over headphones during the session. A researcher will observe your baby from an adjoining room over a video camera. We will begin by familiarizing your baby with a small set of words or phrases. We will measure your baby's looking when s/he hears these words in fluent sentences (or vice versa). In some studies, we focus on preferences that infants bring to the lab. These studies involve only a single session. In other studies, we attempt to teach infants to turn their heads when they hear one word but not another. These studies involve a second testing session with fluent sentences. If you are participating in this second type of study, we may invite you to return for a second session. We will be happy to show you the testing room and explain additional details of the procedure at any time. As compensation for your participation, we will give you your selection from a variety of gifts for your baby (toy, book, t-shirt). In addition, we will reimburse you for round-trip taxi or bus fare that you may have incurred.
Optional procedures . We would also like to screen your baby's hearing. We use an oto-acoustic emission (OAE) tester. This sort of tester is routinely used to assess hearing in newborns. A small probe with a sterile replaceable tip is inserted into the outer part of the ear canal, much like an earplug. A series of brief tones is played into the ear. Tones that the inner ear generates in response are monitored. Testing takes 10-15 seconds per ear. We will provide you with a printout of the results of the screening and an explanation of OAE testing. If the screening indicates that a referral is in order, we will provide a list of licensed audiologists to consult. You and your baby may participate in the study without participating in the hearing screening.
RISKS OR DISCOMFORTS We do not anticipate any risks or discomforts to either you or your infant. If your baby becomes fussy or you become uncomfortable, we will pause or end the procedure.
BENEFITS It is difficult to interpret the responses of individual children. Therefore, there will be no direct benefit to you or your baby as participants. By observing many infants, we can infer how infants recognize and comprehend words. The results of our studies may add to knowledge of language development. Better understanding of normal development may help others identify and treat babies who are not developing properly. If you choose to have your baby's hearing screened, you will receive information on your baby's hearing.
CONFIDENTIALITY All information gathered from the study will be kept confidential to the extent of the law. We do not record any identifying information, except for your baby's age, in the study data files. We may videotape your session so that we can check our measurements or make additional measurements of your baby's looking behavior. If so, we will retain the video recording until data analysis for the study is complete. After this time, we will erase all video recordings. The findings of the study may be published, but individual participants will not be identified.
DECISION TO PARTICIPATE AND RIGHT TO QUIT AT ANY TIME Participation is voluntary. You may quit at any time. You may choose to discontinue any study session or procedure at any point. A decision not to participate or to quit the study will not affect any future relationship with Brown University .
WHOM TO CALL We will be pleased to answer any questions you may have now. Later questions about the study should be directed to Lori Rolfe, Senior Research Technician, 401-863-2377, or Professor James Morgan, 401-863-2462. Questions about your rights as a research participant may be directed to Susan Toppin or Dorinda Williams, Office of Research Administration, Brown University , 866-309-2095 (toll-free).
CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE I have read the consent form and fully understand it. All my questions have been answered. I agree to take part in the study with my infant, and I will receive a copy of this completed form.
__________________________________________ ______________________________ Signature of Participant Date
I do _________ do not _________ wish to have my infant participate in the hearing screening. (Please initial your choice) |