Research and Consent Policy
Elite Mind Business Academy Ltd (trading as Elite Mind Academy) are committed to conducting ongoing user research to ensure that our services, products and policies serve the needs of our users, customers and partners. We believe in the importance of amplifying the voice of seldom-heard groups and individuals to create more equitable working environments and improve access to support.
This policy outlines how we collect user information for research purposes, how we process confidential data, and how we inform users about their participation choices and associated rights.
RESEARCH INCLUSION CRITERIA
1.1. All participation in our research is voluntary and no payments or other incentives will be offered in return for the data and information we collect from our users.
1.2. Any incentives used for participation will be treated as direct marketing activities, and the researchers must inform the users about the scope and purpose of the project, ensuring clear differentiation between market research and direct marketing or other commercial activities in line with ethical standards and code of conduct by Market Research Society.
1.2. We are committed to fairness, equality and representation of diversity in our research, therefore we have a selection criteria for our research participation, to ensure representation of different demographics and backgrounds.
1.3. In order to monitor diversity, inclusion and fair representation of all groups in our research, we may collect data about users’ protected characteristics, and special category data, including but not limited to age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status and health concerns, or other biometric or genetic information.
1.4. Any personal details and individual’s protected characteristics will not affect participant’s experience in our research study, access to service or level of support provided, and will be processed and presented with utmost confidentiality and applied pseudonymisation.
1.5. Research participants and service users have a right and choice not to disclose specific aspects of personal information, and may choose to participate in our research without completing data collection declaration form, or to refuse participation in research altogether.
DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING OF RECORDS
2.1. We collect a minimum amount of information required for ensuring inclusive, fair, ethical and valid research results. Therefore, the type of data we collect may vary based on specific project requirements.
2.2. Our data collection process and methods are conducted in a transparent manner and all our research activities promote compliance with privacy ethics and data protection rules.
2.3. User safety is our priority at all times, and all our researchers are trained to ensure legal compliance, ethical standards and safeguarding of all parties involved.
2.4. We ensure complete confidentiality and anonymity of all information collected, except where the disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or to comply with other legal obligations.
2.5. We apply Pseudonymisation process to ensure that all personal data is processed and presented in such a manner that it can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information. This process is subject to technical and organisational measures to ensure that the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.
2.6. All other data collection and record processes, including where the user data is collected for the purposes other than research, are governed by our Terms and Conditions of service and Privacy Policy.
INFORMED AND IMPLIED CONSENT
3.1. All research participants must be able to make independent choices and decisions for their own participation and level of involvement in research, and will not be coerced, manipulated or misled at any stage of the process.
3.2. All research participants must be provided with relevant information to make an informed consent.
3.3. The consent can be provided verbally, digitally or in writing, with evidence of the consent included in the set of data collected from each individual.
3.4. If the participation of minors under the age of 16 is included in the research requirements, the consent must be provided by their legal guardian or other institution that already has consent to process the child’s data, such as school, medical institution, governing body or other educational service provider. For additional information on how we process children’s data, see our Children’s Privacy Policy.
3.5. To participate in our research activities for the first time, we will ask users for their informed consent while booking our interviews or other research activities.
3.6. The consent for the following activities will be implied for the same research project, but a new consent will be required for other activities that are outside of the scope of the specific project the user consented for.
3.7. No direct marketing activities can take place under the guise of research, and the only direction to other services is permitted where it is necessary to avoid adverse effect on the individual, for example by directing individual to support after discussing sensitive subject.
3.8. For any commercial market research projects, a user will have to consent to receiving any promotional offers, advertising or information about other products and services.
3.9. The participants have a right to revoke their consent at any time before, during or after the end of the research project.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP
4.1. Any intellectual property or copyright rights in relation to research materials created by Elite Mind Academy or its researchers shall vest in Elite Mind Academy.
4.2. All data and information collected in the course of the research shall be the property of Elite Mind Academy.
4.3. Elite Mind Academy reserves the right to publish or otherwise use any results or findings arising from the research, provided that all personal data is anonymized and any potentially identifying information is removed.
4.4. Participants will be informed about the ownership of intellectual property and rights of ownership before giving their consent to participate in research.
4.5. If any research participant creates or contributes any materials in the course of the research, they shall retain ownership of any intellectual property or copyright rights in such materials, but shall grant Elite Mind Academy a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free licence to use and publish such materials in connection with the research.
RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
5.1. Elite Mind Academy is committed to conducting research in an ethical and responsible manner, and we adhere to the principles of the Market Research Society Code of Conduct.
5.2. All research activities are conducted in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including data protection laws and regulations.
5.3. Elite Mind Academy ensures that all researchers and personnel involved in research are trained in research ethics, data protection, confidentiality and privacy.
5.4. Any breaches of research ethics or data protection laws and regulations will be investigated promptly and appropriate action will be taken.
5.5. Elite Mind Academy maintains a complaints procedure for research participants who have concerns about the research or any aspect of their participation in the research.
5.6. Research participants who wish to make a complaint should contact Elite Mind Academy at the contact details provided below.
CONTACT DETAILS
If you have any questions or concerns about this Research and Consent Policy, or if you wish to make a complaint about our research activities, please contact us at:
Elite Mind Academy
20-22 Wenlock Road
N1 7GU
London, UK
research@elitemind.com
+44 (0) 7825163763
This policy is subject to change at any time in line with organisational needs, ethical standards and updates in legal or governance requirements. It was last reviewed on 9th of February, 2023.