Survey Research Center Privacy Guidelines

Overview

The University of Southern Maine’s Survey Research Center’s privacy statement recognizes the value of privacy of the university community members, its stakeholders, and research participants.

In addition to the University of Maine System Privacy Policy, this unit-level privacy policy provides more specific information on how the Survey Research Center collects and processes your personal information.

Privacy for Study Participants

All of the research methods used by the Survey Research Center (SRC) are designed to ensure that your confidentiality is protected at each stage of the research—from data collection to public dissemination. Thorough safeguards are built into everything we do, and all employees who work for our organization sign a Confidentiality Agreement to adhere to these procedures and safeguards. In addition, all employees complete a certification course with a focus on the protection of human subjects via the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program).

Opting Out of a Study

Respondents have the right to refuse to participate in any survey without consequence and have the right to refuse to answer questions.

You can change email and communication preferences by clicking on the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email from us.
You can opt out of text message campaigns by replying “STOP” to any text message you receive from us.
You can be taken off phone lists by calling the SRC at 888-850-2266.
You can be removed from mailing lists by calling the SRC at 888-850-2266.

How Information Is Secured

The SRC recognizes the importance of maintaining the security of the information it collects and maintains, and we endeavor to protect information from unauthorized access and damage. The SRC strives to ensure reasonable security measures are in place, including physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect your personal information. Any personally identifying information is stored on a secure server accessible only to authorized researchers.

How Information Is Disseminated

The SRC recognizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of study participants. Data from telephone, online, mail, and text message surveys is reported only in aggregate form, meaning that individual responses are not reported, and responses cannot be connected back to the individual. The data collected is used solely for research purposes and personal information will not be sold or otherwise shared.