For Research Participants
Research Participant Privacy Policy
Purpose
This policy explains how Tebbutt Research collects, uses, stores, protects, and manages personal information relating to individuals who participate in market and social research activities conducted by or on behalf of Tebbutt Research.
This policy applies to all research participants, panel members, focus group participants, survey respondents, interview participants, and any individual who provides information to Tebbutt Research in connection with research activities.
Our Commitment
Tebbutt Research is committed to:
- Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of research participants
- Conducting research ethically and professionally
- Handling personal information responsibly and securely
- Complying with applicable privacy laws and recognised industry standards
- Ensuring research participation is voluntary and respectful
Tebbutt Research considers confidentiality and privacy to be fundamental components of professional research practice.
Information We May Collect
Depending on the nature of the research project, Tebbutt Research may collect:
- Name and contact details
- Demographic information
- Opinions, attitudes, and experiences
- Product or service usage information
- Audio, video, photographic, or written responses
- Technical or participation metadata
- Incentive payment details where applicable
Some research projects may involve sensitive information, including information relating to health, ethnicity, religion, political opinions, or other personal matters. Where this occurs, participation remains voluntary and appropriate safeguards are applied.
How Information Is Collected
Information may be collected through:
- Face-to-face interviews
- Telephone interviews
- Online surveys
- Focus groups
- Depth interviews
- Mobile or digital research platforms
- Recruitment forms and screening questionnaires
- Email or other direct communications
Information is generally collected directly from participants. In limited circumstances, information may be collected through authorised recruitment partners or client-approved sample sources.
Voluntary Participation
Participation in research conducted by Tebbutt Research is voluntary.
Participants may:
- Decline to participate
- Refuse to answer specific questions
- Withdraw from participation at any stage where practical
Participants will not be pressured to participate in research activities.
How We Use Personal Information
Tebbutt Research may use personal information:
- To recruit and manage participants for research studies
- To conduct market and social research
- For quality control and validation purposes
- To administer participant incentives or reimbursements
- To manage participant records and participation history
- To conduct follow-up research where consent has been provided
- To comply with legal or regulatory obligations
Personal information will only be used for legitimate research-related purposes and related operational requirements.
Disclosure of Information
Unless otherwise agreed or legally required:
- Personally identifying information is not provided to clients for non-research purposes
- Research findings are generally reported in aggregated or de-identified form
- Participant identities are restricted to authorised persons directly involved in the research project
Tebbutt Research may disclose information to trusted service providers or contractors assisting with legitimate research operations, including:
- Data processing
- Quality control
- Recruitment support
- Incentive administration
- Technical platform management
Such parties are expected to maintain appropriate confidentiality and privacy protections.
Recording and Observation
Some research activities may involve audio recording, video recording, photography, observation, or live monitoring for research and quality assurance purposes.
Participants will generally be informed where recording or observation is taking place.
Children and Vulnerable Participants
Where research involves children or vulnerable individuals, additional safeguarding and protection measures apply. Tebbutt Research maintains a zero-tolerance approach to child exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
Additional protections may include:
- Parent or guardian consent
- Restricted handling of identifying information
- Additional oversight and safeguards
Data Security
Tebbutt Research takes reasonable technical, administrative, and physical steps to protect information against:
- Unauthorised access
- Loss
- Misuse
- Modification
- Disclosure
Security measures include:
- Access controls
- Secure systems and infrastructure
- User authentication
- Monitoring and logging
- Staff confidentiality obligations
- Controlled storage environments
International Research
As Tebbutt Research operates across multiple countries, participant information may be processed or accessed in jurisdictions outside the participant's country of residence where required for legitimate research operations.
Where this occurs, reasonable steps are taken to ensure appropriate privacy and confidentiality protections are maintained.
Website and Online Data
When participants use Tebbutt Research websites or online research platforms, limited technical information may be collected for operational, security, and statistical purposes.
This may include:
- Browser and device information
- Session information
- Usage statistics
- IP address or approximate geographic region
This information is used to support research systems and website operations and is not used for behavioural profiling.
Retention and Destruction of Information
Tebbutt Research retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for:
- Research and quality control purposes
- Legal and regulatory requirements
- Operational and contractual obligations
Where information is no longer required, it will be securely destroyed or de-identified using appropriate methods.
Access and Correction
Participants may request access to personal information held about them and may request correction of inaccurate or outdated information, subject to applicable legal and operational limitations.
Requests should be directed to the contact details below.
Complaints and Concerns
Tebbutt Research takes privacy concerns seriously and investigates complaints fairly and confidentially.
Questions, concerns, or complaints relating to privacy or research participation may be directed to:
Email: dpo@tebbuttresearch.com
Website: Contact Us
Where appropriate, individuals may also contact the relevant privacy regulator or authority in their jurisdiction.
Review of This Policy
This policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legal requirements, industry standards, operational practices, or research methodologies.
The latest version will be published on the Tebbutt Research website.