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Privacy Policy

Research Participant Privacy Policy

This policy is for research participants.

About Thrive Economics
Thrive Economics is an economic and social research consultancy which operates from premises in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and which conducts research and consultancy work across the UK. 

About this Privacy Notice
You are likely to be reading this Privacy Notice because you have either taken part in one of our research projects or are considering taking part. This Privacy Notice explains what personal data we may collect from you in relation to the survey and what we will do with it.


In addition to the information stated in this Privacy Notice, Thrive Economics works to the Market Research Society Code of Conduct (http://www.mrs.org.uk) and we are wholly committed to meeting the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation on data privacy.


Please read this notice in order to ensure that you are happy with how its contents impact on you. Participation in our research is entirely voluntary, and if you have taken part in a survey we will take it to mean that you agree with the terms of this notice. However, if you are not happy with the terms of this notice you should not participate in the survey, or if you have already participated you are still entitled to ask that part or all of your input to the research and/or personal details be destroyed or deleted and we will carry out such a request. We tell you below how to contact us for this purpose.


Why have we contacted you and where did we get your details?
We carry out research on behalf of our clients to gather and present the opinions of the public or businesses directly to the people making decisions about various aspects of public policy or their business. We do not sell or promote products or services on behalf of our clients.
 

You will have been invited to take part in a survey through one of the following routes:

  • You have a relationship with our client and they have provided us with your details for the purpose of conducting research;

  • We were provided your contact details by a third party, such as a legitimate database provider or a market research panel company who have provided us with your details for the purpose of conducting research;

  • You were approached by us in your home or in-street or at an event, when we were seeking participants for a research project.

 

What personal data do we collect?
We collect information though surveys conducted on the telephone, online, face-to- face or by post.  We might also collect feedback and information from group interviews or workshops.


We only collect personal data about you that is relevant to the purpose of the particular research project that you are asked to take part in. Personal data means your name, address, email address, telephone number or other identifying information. Personal data can also include (but is not limited to) information about your age and gender, race or ethnicity, your religion or beliefs, political opinions, trade union membership and health.


Unless we indicate otherwise in the survey (for example, to say if the information is essential for the purpose of the survey) you may choose not to share that information with us.


We will protect the confidentiality of your information in accordance with our normal data handling procedures and all legal requirements. We will not use it for any purposes other than those which are described to you as part of the research project and in this Privacy Notice.


How do we use your personal data?

We may use your personal data in the following ways:

  • For research analysis purposes, this includes carrying out analysis and producing reports on behalf of the client who has commissioned the survey.

  • For quality control purposes; for example, we may contact research participants to check that our interviewers conducted the interview in a professional and polite manner.

  • To provide you with survey research results if you request them when offered.

 

In addition, if we want to use your personal data for any other specific purpose not specified in this notice, this will be explained to you as part of the survey and we will ask for your consent to do this.


What information is shared with the client who has commissioned the survey?
Typically survey results will be reported back to our clients in an aggregated format. This means that your responses will be combined with all other responses we have collected and shown as a total combined number or a percentage of the total.
 

Occasionally, we may wish to share personal data that we have collected as part of the survey with the client in a format that would make it attributable to you. If this is the case, we would only do so after we have explained to you what we want to do and obtained your explicit permission to share this specific information.


Do we share your personal data with anyone else?
On some surveys we may share your data with another party purely for the purpose of delivering market research services we cannot easily provide ourselves (for example, a mailing house or host of online survey services). In all such cases, we have contracts in place with the third party to protect the confidentiality and security of your data.


There may be some rare instances where we may be required to disclose your information without your prior consent. For example:

  • If we are required to do so by law, where the information is subject to disclosure pursuant to judicial or other government subpoenas, warrants, orders or for similar legal or regulatory requirements.

  • If we need to do so in the interest of protecting your or someone else’s safety.

 

We will not share your personal data for any purpose other than those noted above, and, explicitly, not for any sales promotion purpose.


How we keep your data secure?
We are committed to keeping personal data secure and take all reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data from loss, misuse or alteration.


Only authorised Thrive Economics employees and contractors or partners carrying out authorised business functions are allowed to access data or databases held by Thrive Economics.


We inform and update our staff about our policies and procedures regarding confidentiality, security and privacy, and we emphasise the importance of complying with them at all times. Our security procedures are consistent with or exceed generally accepted commercial standards used to protect personal data. Thrive Economics staff are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement in which they agree to keep all project and respondent personal data confidential. Employees who violate the Confidentiality Agreement are subject to disciplinary actions, including termination of employment if appropriate.  Any employee found to be in breach of the law will be reported to the relevant authorities.


Where is your data processed?
All data is either processed within the European Economic Area or in another territory where the relevant sub-processor (such as an online survey host) has registered with the Privacy Shield programme.


For how long do we keep your personal data?
We only keep your information for as long as is necessary for the purposes of the project. Once deleted we will no longer hold any copies. If, at any time, you withdraw your consent to our processing your personal data, we will delete your personal data at that point and no copies will be held by Thrive Economics.

Your rights
Your co-operation in the research we undertake is voluntary at all times regardless of what the survey is about or who our client is.


You are entitled at any stage to ask that your personal data, or part or all of the record of your survey responses, be destroyed or deleted and we will carry out such a request. This can be requested during the interview itself or afterwards (using the contact details below).


You have the right to access any personal data that we process relating to you. We may ask for verification of your identity before releasing any information to you.


In instances where research is taking place over a period of time, we would wish to ensure that any personal data we hold for you is accurate.  Therefore, if any information you have provided changes, you have the option to let us know and we will advise at the time whether or not it is appropriate to update any records we hold.
If you have any complaint in relation to how we process your personal data you are entitled to ask the Information Commissioner’s Office to review the matter. Details about how to contact them are on their website at www.ico.org.uk


How to contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or want to get in touch about a survey you have conducted with us please contact:
 

Chris Maunder

Tel: +44(0)7869 516928
Email: chris@addspecialists.co.uk
ADD Specialists
Updated 2022.

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