Privacy Policy In Market Research

Our commitment to maintaining your privacy

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect and use the information you give us. Please read this policy carefully. 

As MRS Company Partner we hold the Fair Data accreditation. Putting Fair Data into practice means that alongside adherence to GDPR, we will also manage and treat your personal data with respect. In particular we will:

• Collect, store and manage it in an unbiased and secure way;
• Only use your data for purposes that we have informed you about;
• Always be transparent about the personal data we collect and how we use it;
• Ensure that all personal information supplied is held securely and in accordance with all applicable Data Protection legislation.

Why have we contacted you?

With have contacted you because we are conducting a research project on behalf of the projects sponsor. We have access to your contact details because:

You have registered your interest in becoming a participant in our project via direct contact where you have spoken with one of our researchers face-to-face, or

The project’s sponsor has shared your contact details with us within the terms of a ‘Data Sharing Agreement’, and under ‘legitimate interest’ (see legitimate interest below).

What is the legal basis for Mackman Research processing my information?

Where we have identified that there is legitimate interest Mackman Research to provide research services as part of our normal professional services, and;

Where there is a legitimate interest in us doing so if it is reasonably necessary to achieve our or others’ legitimate interests (as long as that processing is fair, balanced and does not unduly impact your rights).

How will we collect your data?

We may ask you to voluntarily provide information about you personally and your business when delivering our services through a combination of online and offline channels. We may also collect data from you via emails, online webforms, telephone calls, virtual and physical meetings. 

How we use your personal information

Mackman Research respects your privacy and will process (collect, store and use) the information you provide in a manner compatible with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We will endeavour to keep your information accurate and up to date, and not keep it for longer than is necessary (the lifespan of the project). 

Will Mackman Research share my personal data with anyone else?

We will not share any of the information from research participants with any third parties for marketing purposes or store any of your information outside of the European Economic Area.

What personal data might we collect?

The personal information that we collect from you will vary depending on the context of your interactions with us, and this may be determined by the requirements of the sponsor of a specific research project. 

It may include, but is not limited to, the following information about you, such as your:

• name;
• date of birth;
• gender;
• educational background;
• job title;
• professional title or job role:
• organisation you may work for;
• professional memberships;
• contact data including your email address, home and/or work postal address, postcode and phone number;
• information about the services you receive from us;
• information about the services you receive from our client;
• information about the way you use our Websites, so that we can improve the effectiveness of our business (see our Cookies Notice for more information);
• image and/or voice captured through photography, filming and/or audio recording if applicable to a research project; and/or
• any other information which may be collected in the course of our interactions with you.

When do we collect information about you?

• When you visit our website;
• When we meet you face-to-face, in a street survey;
• When you respond to a Social Media research campaign;
• When you respond to an email invitation to take part in research; when you enter your response to online research;
• During a telephone, face-to-face, or virtual interview.

How do we use your personal information?

We may use your personal information in one of the following ways:

• To invite you to participate in research, when it is provided by our client under ‘legitimate interest’;
• To verify your contact data or personal information when you have registered your interest in our research;
• For analysis purposes; to inform market research findings so that our clients can improve and develop their business and services that they offer you.
• For analysis to inform our own services and to enhance and personalise your experience.

How will we store your personal data?

The information you provide will be held securely by us and/or our data processors whether the information is in electronic or physical format. The information is stored securely in compliance with strict guidance set out by GDPR and the MRS Fair Data accreditation.

How long will we hold your personal data?

We will keep your personal information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes outlined in this privacy policy. In relation to contracts with our customers we will keep full records in respect of a contract for as long as the contract is in force and for at least 6 years after the contract ceases to exist, in line with the Limitation Act 1980.

Can I find out the personal data that Mackman Research holds about me?

At your request, we can confirm what information we hold about you and how it is processed. If we do hold personal data about you, you can request the following information by contacting [email protected]

What are your rights?

You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information. There are some exemptions, which means you may not always receive all the information we process;

You have the right to ask us to rectify information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think is incomplete;

You have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your information in certain circumstances;

You have the right to object to processing of your personal information for direct marketing purposes.  You also have the right to object to our processing of your personal information where the processing forms part of our public tasks, or is in our legitimate interests;

You have the right to ask that we transfer the information you gave us from one organisation to another, or give it to you;

You have the right to withdraw consent that you have provided to us to process your personal information, at any time. *Note that withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing based on consent before the consent is withdrawn.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority about our collection and use of your personal information. 

Contact details for the ICO, the UK's data protection authority: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/contact-us-public

Contact details for the Market Research Society complaints are: https://www.mrs.org.uk/standards/complaint-handling 

Other websites

This website contains links to other websites for which Mackman Research is not responsible (legally or otherwise).

Our details

This website is owned and operated by Mackman Ltd.

We are registered in England and Wales under registration number 04987877, and our registered office is at:

Mackman Group,

Meadow House,

1 Meadow Lane,

Sudbury,

Suffolk,

CO10 2TD

England

Our principal place of business is at:

Meadow House,

1 Meadow Lane,

Sudbury,

Suffolk,

CO10 2TD

England

You can contact us:

(a)    by post, using the postal address given above;

(b)    using our website contact form;

(c)    by telephone, on 01787 388038 or 01206 625222

(d)    by email, using [email protected]