Data use policy

This policy is effective from 12 May 2026 and governs the research data we collect, hold and publish. It complements our privacy notice, which covers personal data collected through this website, and our citation and reuse policy, which covers how others may use the datasets we release.

The data we work with

Our studies draw on a range of sources: official statistics and administrative data, primary fieldwork such as surveys and interviews, licensed third-party datasets, and open data. For each study we record where the data came from and on what terms we may use it, and we describe this in the study’s methods note.

Lawful and ethical basis

We collect and use data on a lawful basis and, where research involves people, in line with recognised research-ethics principles. Where fieldwork requires it, we seek informed consent, explain how data will be used, and give participants a way to withdraw. Sensitive research is reviewed before it begins.

Anonymisation and minimisation

We collect only the data a study needs, and we anonymise or pseudonymise personal data as early as we reasonably can. Published outputs use aggregated or de-identified data so that individuals cannot be identified, and we assess the risk of re-identification before release.

Storage and security

Research data is held with access controls appropriate to its sensitivity, encrypted in transit, and available only to those who need it for a study. Identifiable data is kept separately from analysis files where practical, and confidentiality obligations apply to everyone who handles it.

Retention

We keep research data for as long as it is needed to support the findings and to allow verification, and to meet the terms under which it was obtained. When it is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or fully anonymised. Data licensed from third parties is retained and disposed of according to the licence.

Sharing and open data

Wherever we can, we publish the data behind our research through our data and indicators pages so that findings can be checked and reused. We do not share data that would identify individuals, breach a licence or a duty of confidence, or create a safety or security risk. Third-party and commissioned-client data is shared only as its terms allow.

Data from commissioned work

Data gathered for commissioned market research is handled under the relevant client agreement and our commercial research policy, and is kept separate from our published research unless we have the right to publish it.

Your rights and questions

If you took part in our research, or believe we hold data about you, you can ask about it. Contact our data-protection team at privacy@internationalresearchinstitute.org or use our contact page. Questions about a specific dataset can be sent to enquiries@internationalresearchinstitute.org.