Consent Info

INFORMED CONSENT

Visitors to the Gardens were invited to be part of the study by acting on social media or by texting a tree. This allowed us to count social-media engagement and analyze messages sent to trees. By texting a tree, participants gave us permission to send two survey questions at the end of the project, asking why they participated. Participants under the age of 16 were asked to gain permission from a a guardian prior to texting any of the trees. Tree-speaker volunteers were all adults, and would reply to messages sent to their designated trees. The messages and phone numbers were saved for research and analysis. At the end of the project, phone numbers were deleted and replaced with random codes to help us keep track of which messages belonged together. Phone numbers were never shared with anyone outside of the study. The study was conducted in accordance to the Dalhousie Research Ethics Board.

A book is currently being produced to showcase our favourite interactions between participants and trees. These messages will be made entirely anonymous.

OPT OUT

If participants texted a tree but later decided not to be part of the study, they just had to tell us! Participants could text “opt-out” to any tree, or email “opt-out” with their phone number to Julietta at jl883690@dal.ca. Everything sent to us, including phone numbers, was erased. Participants could opt-out over text-message until August 31, 2019, but had until September 7, 2019 to opt-out by email. It was recommended that participants who chose to opt-out also remove any Text-A-Tree-related activity on Instagram and/or Facebook by September 7, 2019.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES

- Those under 16 were asked to get permission from a guardian before participating

- Those wishing to opt out needed to do so before September 7, 2019

- Participants were asked to show respect to volunteers when texting

- Concerns were reported to Julietta at jl883690@dal.ca

- Ethical issues were reported to the Dalhousie Research Ethics office at ethics@dal.ca or 902-494-3423

*Note* In the event that a phone number or message were stolen, or harm were caused by the research, participants retained their right to legal action even after giving consent.

MESSAGES

All phone numbers and messages were stored and managed using the American software service Zendesk. We used the Zendesk Talk product. At the end of the study, Julietta downloaded all of the messages and phone numbers. The Zendesk account was then deactivated, and all data deleted from the online platform. The downloaded information was encrypted and kept on a password-protected computer. The messages were sorted and all phone numbers removed. Julietta then analyzed the anonymous messages to answer her research questions. The first report produced from this data can be found here.

The only information analyzed from Instagram and Facebook were the timing and numbers of likes, followers, comments, and pictures we received on @TextATreeHalifax and #TextATreeHalifax. Though we saved some of our favourite comments, we did not record who wrote them.

ZENDESK

For information on Zendesk Talk and their company policies, see: Zendesk Talk, Privacy Policy, and Data Deletion Policy

TEXTING PROCESS

If you chose to text a tree, your message was sent to an online platform called Zendesk. Your text was turned into a message that could only be viewed using the platform (similar to an email account), and the volunteer speaking for that tree would get a notification. While you were waiting for a reply, you would receive an automated message letting you know you texted the correct number. This would include a fun message from the tree, as well as a reiteration of consent. The volunteer would log onto Zendesk using their password and type a message back. You would receive this as a text. The volunteer would only be able to see the messages and phone numbers sent to their particular tree. Volunteers were not able to download any of the information, and signed agreements confirming that no information they saw would be kept or recorded. Julietta maintained control over the account to make sure that all information stayed safe. She also checked to make sure everyone was being respectful.

Your conversations with the trees helped us understand what makes trees important to people. Furthmore, answers to the two survey questions helped us understand why and how the project worked.

PUBLICATIONS

You can stay up-to-date about our publications through this site. We want you to know what you helped us learn! Your information will always be protected, and nothing will be posted that could identify you. The most recent publication can be found here. Thank you all so much!

Sorensen Kass, 2019