Privacy Statement
At Social Buddy's research project, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting the confidentiality of your personal information. This privacy statement explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data during our co-design and evaluation studies. We encourage you to read this statement carefully to understand our practices regarding your privacy.Information Collection and Use
During the co-design study, we will collect your experiences and design ideas to inform the development of our Social Buddy VR application. This may involve gathering the following types of information:-
Personal Information: Your name, age, contact details (email address/phone number), and voluntarily provided demographic details (gender and ethnicity) to ensure we have a diverse group of participants.
-
Experiences and Design Ideas: We will collect your social experiences during isolation or hospitalisations to understand your needs around social interactions. Then we will collect your thoughts, opinions, and suggestions related to the use and design of Social Buddy through interviews or other interactive methods (e.g., Drawings).
Data Protection and Security
We prioritize the security and protection of your personal information. Throughout the study, we maintain study-specific source documents within secure premises at Victoria University. These premises include locked file cabinets in locked rooms and password-protected databases on computers stored in locked rooms. We do not share any information with third parties, and we do not seek permission to access unrelated information that could be used for advertising or other commercial purposes. To ensure your data remains secure, all data will be encrypted before transmission to the Victoria University of Wellington servers. This encryption guarantees that only the research team can access the data. Identifiable data will be transformed into a de-identified format at the study site and then entered into secure electronic forms using a protected data platform. Data entry will be restricted to designated study staff trained and experienced in transcribing data. De-identified data will be assigned participant codes (e.g., P1, P2, ...), and the research team will retain a log linking these codes with participant identifiers. This log will be accessible only to the authorized research team members. The de-identified database will be stored on secure servers for approximately five years. Afterwards, the de-identified data will be stored long-term on Victoria University of Wellington's secure servers until it is eventually destroyed. The de-identified data will be retained for five years. Rest assured that your privacy and the confidentiality of your information are of utmost importance to us. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the security of your data, please feel free to contact us. Māori Data Sovereignty During the study, data may be collected from participants identifying as Māori. Personal and health information is a taonga (treasure) and will be treated accordingly. Formal Māori consultation for this study will be completed as part of the Locality Approval Process for New Zealand study site(s). Any recommendations for additional measures to improve Māori rights and interests in data will be acted upon.Data Usage and Sharing
The data collected during the co-design and evaluation studies will be used solely for research. We will analyze the collected information to gain insights into user experiences and design requirements for improving the Social Buddy VR application. We do not share any information with third parties, and we do not seek permission to access unrelated information that could be used for advertising or other commercial purposes. De-identified data may be included in published study results, including peer-reviewed publications, the principal investigator's dissertation and scientific meetings. Any publicly shared data will be aggregated and anonymized, ensuring that your identity remains protected.Informed Consent
Your participation in our co-design and evaluation studies is entirely voluntary. Before participating, we will provide you with detailed information about the purpose of the research, the types of data collected, and how it will be used. You will be asked to provide your informed consent before participating in the studies, and you can withdraw your consent at any time without providing a reason.Participant Rights
We respect your rights as a participant in our co-design and evaluation studies. Your comfort and satisfaction are important to us, and we want to ensure that you feel respected and empowered throughout your participation. As a participant, you have the following rights:- Decline/Withdrawal Rights: Participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You have the right to decline to participate or withdraw from the research without experiencing any disadvantage or penalty. Your decision to participate will not affect your or your child’s access to any healthcare services or treatment you may require. Also, you have the right to ask to delete the data at the time of withdrawal from the study.
-
Freedom to Skip or Not Answer Questions: You have the freedom to skip or choose not to answer any questions or provide any information that makes you uncomfortable. Your participation is voluntary, and you have the right to determine the level of engagement that feels appropriate to you.
-
Inquiries and Questions: You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have before and during your participation in the studies. We are here to provide clarifications, address concerns, and ensure that you have a clear understanding of the research process and your involvement.
-
Access to Study Results: After the study, you have the right to access the general findings and results of the research project. We will provide you with a summary or report, which may include insights, trends, and conclusions derived from the collected data. Please note that individual participant data will be anonymized and aggregated to maintain confidentiality.
-
Access to Collected Data: You have the right to request access to the personal data collected from you during the co-design and evaluation studies. We will make reasonable efforts to provide you with access to your data, allowing you to review and verify its accuracy. Please contact us using the provided contact details if you wish to exercise this right.