Research and consent policy
Respect and care
Our research strategy and the methods and tools that we use are carefully designed to respect your rights, reward your contributions and avoid unnecessary distress. Our policies are based around the Oxford consent model.
We are also careful to take steps to ensure that you have the support and assistance needed to take part fully and safely, and that you can pause or leave at any time if you want to.
Obtaining informed consent
Informed consent is permission that is given by someone in full knowledge of the implications, and possible risks and benefits of taking part in a particular research project or programme.
Though we cannot foresee all consequences, we will do our best to ensure that probable negative and positive implicaitons are explained clearly and simply, and are therefore understood by you before you take part.
We will also endeavor to make sure your consent is given clearly and of your own free will.
In summary:
- full disclosure of the nature of the research and participant’s involvement,
- adequate comprehension on the part of potential participants, and.
- the participant’s voluntary choice to participate.
Protecting anonymity and confidentiality
We are registered data controllers, and work in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). See the GDPR section in our general Terms and Policies for more details.
We take special care where we are collecting ‘special category’ (ie sensitive) data or personal data in the course of our research.
We endeavor to ensure that all information we share or publish is anonymised, and that no individual is ever identified in this information unless they have expressly consented to this.
Personal and special category data
Personal data is Personal data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable living individual. Different pieces of information, which collected together can lead to the identification of a particular person, also constitute personal data. Special category data is.
Special category data includes data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, and genetic data, biometric data, data concerning health or data concerning a person's sex life or sexual orientation.
Avoiding deceptive practices
Transparency and integrity are part of our core values This means that we will be clear about what data we are gathering, why and how it will be used, and under what conditions.This approach allows us to ensure that we have your full informed consent.
We aim to be clear about:
a, The purpose for which your personal data or special category data will be gathered and used. If these circumstances change, we will seek additional consent.
b, If any, the people or organisations your personal data or special category data might be shared with, and if so, what your consent options are.
c, The contractual basis for the gathering and use of your personal data/special category data
Providing the right to withdraw
At any point in time you may withdraw from the research, and additionally have any personal data removed from the records. Under certain circumstances, this may also include any anonymised data that we hold.