Who are we?

ASK Research are a social research organisation. We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of all research participants, clients and others whose data we process in the course of our work.

We work to a strict Code of Practice and Data Security Policy (available on request) and ensure all research is undertaken with the highest possible levels of integrity, and respect for those involved in our work.  All our staff are required to adhere to data protection and good practice policies as part of our terms and conditions of employment.

How does this apply to me?

ASK Research complies with the six principles of the General Data Protection Regulation. Personal data is:

• processed fairly, lawfully and transparently (a legal basis for processing activities has been chosen and communicated alongside all other relevant information in a privacy notice which is made available to data subjects)
• only used for the specified, clearly explained purpose it was collected for
• adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed
• kept accurate and up-to-date
• only kept for as long as it is needed (usually until a project or activity is complete) and is then removed and securely deleted
• processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data; it is stored in secure systems and only transferred by secure means.

What personal data do we collect?

We collect information through surveys or interviews 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 we are conducting at that time. Personal data means your name, address, email address, telephone number or online identifier. 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 research (for example, to say if the information is essential for the purpose of the research), 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 set out in the individual research projects and in this Notice.

How do we use your personal data?

We may use your personal solely for carrying out analysis and producing reports on behalf of the client who has commissioned the research. We never share your data with any other third party.

Typically results will be reported back to our clients in an aggregated format, by that we mean 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. Any quotes you provide will be made anonymous and your name will not appear next to them.

On occasion we might 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.  For example, if we want to highlight your experiences in detail (e.g. in a named case study). On those occasions where this is the case, we would only do so after we have explained to you what we want to do and obtained your permission to do so.

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 ASK Research employees and contractors or partners carrying out authorised business functions are allowed to access data or databases held by us.

We inform and update our employees about our policies and procedures regarding confidentiality, security and privacy, and we emphasise the importance of complying with them at all times. Our employees 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 when appropriate.  Any employee found to be in breach of the law will be reported to the relevant authorities.

How long do we keep your personal data?

We only keep your information for as long as is necessary. We will keep your personal data for a minimum of three months after the completion of the project; it is then deleted and 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 immediately.

Your rights

Your co-operation in any of our research projects is entirely voluntary at all times regardless of what the research is about or who our client is.

You can ask at any point 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.

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, concerns or would like to request your data be removed from our research work then please do not hesitate to contact us:

data@askresearch.org.uk