Research Data Use Informed Consent
Vocational Compass is a career exploration platform that provides career assessments and personalized feedback while also supporting related scientific research. It is operated by X LABS LIMITED under authorization.
Before using Vocational Compass, please carefully read the following information regarding research participation and the use of research data. Certain de-identified data generated through your use of the platform may be used for related scientific research as described below.
1. Research Purposes
De-identified data collected through Vocational Compass may be used for scientific research related to career development and psychology, including but not limited to:
- Vocational interests, abilities, and other individual characteristics;
- Career decision-making, career adaptability, and career development;
- Career recommendations and person–occupation fit;
- The development, refinement, and validation of psychological measures;
- The development and validation of career assessment methods, statistical models, and algorithms;
- How users understand, use, and benefit from career assessments and feedback.
These studies are intended to advance scientific understanding of career development and to improve career assessment and related services.
2. Types of Data That May Be Used
Research may use data that you provide or that are generated through your use of Vocational Compass, such as:
- Vocational interest data and other career-related psychological assessment data;
- Ability assessment results or other test results;
- Questionnaire data related to career decision-making and career development;
- Career recommendation and matching results;
- Feedback regarding assessment results, recommendations, or platform features;
- De-identified usage records relevant to research questions.
Unless otherwise specifically explained and appropriate consent is obtained, research data will not include your name, email address, or other directly identifying information.
3. Separation of Identifying Information and Research Data
Vocational Compass will, to the extent reasonably possible, process account-identifying information separately from assessment data used for research.
Before research data enter the research analysis process, names, email addresses, and other directly identifying information will be removed, and the data will be processed using research codes or other de-identification methods.
Researchers will generally not have direct access to your name or contact information in the datasets used for analysis.
4. Use of Research Data and Future Research
You agree that de-identified data falling within the scope described above may be used for current and future research related to career development, psychological measurement, career recommendations, and related psychological and behavioral science topics.
Research data may be:
- Statistically analyzed together with other de-identified data;
- Used to validate or improve psychological measures and research models;
- Used to develop and validate career assessment or recommendation methods;
- Used for secondary analyses addressing different research questions;
- Used by authorized research collaborators in accordance with applicable legal, research ethics, and data protection requirements.
If future research falls outside the scope reasonably covered by this consent, additional research ethics approval or additional consent will be obtained where appropriate.
5. Academic Publication and Confidentiality
Research findings may be published in academic journals, presented at academic conferences, or included in research reports, books, or other scientific publications.
All publicly disseminated research findings will be presented in statistical, aggregated, or other forms that do not directly identify individual users. We will not disclose your name, email address, or other directly identifying information in research publications.
6. Storage and Security of Research Data
Reasonable technical and organizational safeguards will be used to protect research data, including appropriate access controls, secure data transmission, and de-identification procedures.
Some data may be processed or stored outside the Macao Special Administrative Region due to the use of servers, cloud services, analytical tools, or other technical services. Such processing will be conducted in accordance with applicable data protection requirements and appropriate security measures.
7. Research Data Use and Platform Use
In addition to providing career assessments and personalized feedback, Vocational Compass also supports scientific research related to career development.
Eligible de-identified data generated through your use of the platform may be used for related research in accordance with this notice. By continuing to use Vocational Compass, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this notice and agree to the research data use arrangements described above.
You may stop using Vocational Compass at any time. Once you stop using the platform, no new platform data will be generated through your continued use.
8. Discontinuing Use and Previously Collected Research Data
If you stop using Vocational Compass, no new platform data will be generated through your continued use.
Whether data submitted before you stop using the platform can later be removed from research datasets will depend on the stage of data processing. For example, if the data have already been de-identified and can no longer be reliably linked to your account, or have already been incorporated into completed statistical analyses, it may no longer be possible to identify and remove your individual data.
If you make such a request, it will be handled in accordance with applicable law, research ethics requirements, and technical feasibility.
9. Potential Risks and Benefits
Research of this type generally does not involve risks beyond those ordinarily associated with using an online career assessment platform. However, all digital data storage and internet transmission involve some degree of information security risk. Reasonable measures will be taken to reduce these risks.
You may not receive any direct benefit specifically from the research use of your data. However, the resulting research may contribute to improvements in career assessment methods, career recommendations, and other career-related services.
10. Your Rights
You have the right to read and understand this notice before using Vocational Compass and to ask questions about the use of research data.
If a particular study conducted through Vocational Compass involves additional procedures, additional data collection, experimental manipulations, or other arrangements beyond the scope of this general consent, the research team will provide additional study information and informed consent procedures where appropriate.
11. Contact Information
If you have any questions about research conducted through Vocational Compass or the use of research data, please contact:
Dr. Hui Xu
Department of Psychology
University of Macau
Email: [email protected]
If you are participating in a study that has been reviewed through the University of Macau research ethics process and have questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact the relevant research ethics office at the University of Macau.