This page consolidates the policies that govern use of the Connect Research platform (“Connect Research,” “we,” “us,” “our”). These policies are incorporated into and governed by the Connect Research Terms of Service (“ToS”). If there is any conflict between these policies and the ToS, the ToS controls.
By creating an account or using the platform, you agree to these policies.
Policies on this page
- Privacy Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Dispute Resolution Policy
- Payment & Fees Policy
- Refund & Cancellation Policy
- Updates & Contact Information
1) Privacy Policy
1.1 Information We Collect
We collect information to operate the platform and provide services to users.
1.1.1 Information you provide:
- Account & profile information: name, email, phone (optional), professional background, role, organization, location (general), and profile content you submit.
- Project information: project descriptions, scope, timelines, deliverables, milestones, attachments, and related project requirements submitted through the platform.
- Communications: messages exchanged through the platform between clients, consultants, and Connect Research support.
- Support & verification: information you provide when contacting support or verifying your identity.
1.1.2 Payment information:
Payments are processed by our third-party payment processor(s). Connect Research does not store full card numbers. We may receive and store limited payment-related metadata (e.g., billing name, partial payment identifiers, transaction IDs, payment status) from the processor to operate the platform, prevent fraud, and keep records.
1.2 How We Use Information
We use information for:
- Platform functionality: account management, project posting, milestone tracking, messaging, payment processing, and dispute handling.
- Safety & integrity: fraud prevention, enforcement of policies, and compliance.
- Customer support: responding to requests and troubleshooting.
- Legal & record-keeping: maintaining records as required by law and for legitimate business needs (e.g., accounting, audits, dispute resolution).
1.3 Confidentiality & Project Data
Project and communication data may include sensitive business information. Users are responsible for sharing only what they have the right to share and for using platform tools in a compliant way.
Where the ToS or a project-specific agreement includes confidentiality obligations, platform data may be used only as necessary to operate the platform and resolve disputes.
1.4 Automated Tools (Including Matching)
To provide matching and related platform functions, Connect Research may use automated tools to analyze project descriptions and requirements. We do not use project content for advertising.
1.5 Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. Security measures may include encryption in transit and at rest where appropriate, access controls, and access logging. No system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
1.6 Service Providers & Third Parties
We may share limited information with vetted service providers that help us operate the platform (e.g., payments, hosting, analytics, customer support). Service providers are permitted to process information only to perform services for us and are expected to protect it.
We do not sell personal information or share it for third-party marketing/advertising.
1.7 Public/Third-Party CRO Data (If Applicable)
If the platform displays or references CRO capability information sourced from public materials, such information is provided as-is and may not be complete or accurate. Connect Research does not guarantee accuracy. If the platform temporarily caches limited data to provide the service, it will be handled under this Privacy Policy.
1.8 Data Retention
We retain information only as long as reasonably necessary to:
- provide the platform,
- comply with legal obligations,
- prevent fraud,
- resolve disputes, and
- maintain business records.
When no longer needed, we take steps to delete, de-identify, or anonymize information, where feasible.
1.9 Cross-Border Processing
1.10 Your Rights & Choices
- Update profile: You can update your profile information in account settings.
- Access/correction: You may request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting us. We may need to verify your identity.
- Deletion: You may request account deletion. We will delete or de-identify personal information where feasible, except where retention is required or permitted by law (e.g., financial records, fraud prevention, unresolved disputes).
Requests: contact-us@connectresearch.ca
1.11 Security Incidents
1.12 Privacy Officer
1.13 Changes to Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. See Section 6 for how we provide notice.
2) Code of Conduct
2.1 Professional Conduct:
Users must:
- treat others with respect and professionalism,
- communicate clearly and in good faith,
- provide accurate information about qualifications and project needs,
- comply with applicable laws and regulations.
2.2 Prohibited Conduct:
You may not:
- harass, discriminate, or threaten others,
- create fake profiles or misrepresent identity, qualifications, or work,
- submit plagiarized, infringing, or unauthorized materials,
- share third-party confidential information without permission,
- attempt to compromise platform security, scrape, reverse-engineer, or disrupt services,
- use the platform for unlawful or prohibited activities.
2.3 External Tools
Users may use external tools (e.g., Zoom) if confidentiality and applicable obligations are maintained. Connect Research is not responsible for third-party tools.
2.4 User Responsibilities
Clients are responsible for:
- clear project descriptions and expectations,
- confirming they have rights to share provided materials,
- obtaining any required regulatory, ethics, or institutional approvals (if applicable) for their work.
Consultants are responsible for:
- providing services professionally and on schedule,
- accurately representing qualifications,
- complying with applicable laws and any project obligations accepted through the platform.
2.5 Reporting Violations
Report violations to: contact-us@connectresearch.ca (include relevant details and evidence where possible)
2.6 Consequences
We may take action including warnings, limiting features, holding payouts pending review, suspension, or termination, consistent with the ToS.3) Dispute Resolution Policy
3.1 Scope
This policy applies to disputes related to:
- unfinished or missing deliverables,
- missed or disputed milestones,
- alleged material non-conformance with agreed deliverables.
3.2 Step 1: Direct Resolution
Users must first attempt to resolve issues directly through platform messaging, documenting the issue and proposed resolution.
3.3 Step 2: Submit a Dispute to Connect Research
If unresolved, either party may submit a dispute to contact-us@connectresearch.ca with:
- project name/ID,
- milestone(s) in question,
- summary of the issue,
- supporting evidence (messages, files, milestone submissions, etc.).
3.4 Timing to Raise a Dispute
Disputes must be raised within 5 days of the relevant milestone submission/claimed completion date (or within 5 days of any platform-defined acceptance date, if applicable). Late disputes may be declined unless there is a clear justification.
3.5 Administrative Review & Determination
Connect Research may review platform records (messages, submitted files, milestone status) and issue an administrative determination for the purpose of:
- releasing payouts,
- partially releasing payouts,
- holding payouts,
- or reversing/unwinding payouts where feasible and permitted by the payment processor.
Important: This administrative process is not arbitration and does not provide legal advice. Either party may pursue legal remedies. A court order will override any platform determination.
3.5 Administrative Review & Determination
Connect Research may review platform records (messages, submitted files, milestone status) and issue an administrative determination for the purpose of:
- releasing payouts,
- partially releasing payouts,
- holding payouts,
- or reversing/unwinding payouts where feasible and permitted by the payment processor.
Important: This administrative process is not arbitration and does not provide legal advice. Either party may pursue legal remedies. A court order will override any platform determination.
3.6 Payout Holds During Disputes
During an active dispute, payouts may be delayed or held until the dispute is resolved.
4) Payment & Fees Policy
4.1 Scope
This policy applies to all financial transactions on the platform.
4.2 Payment Processing & Payout Timing
Payments are processed through third-party payment processor(s). Client funds may be authorized and/or collected upfront (for a project or milestone(s)), and payouts are delayed until delivery approval or dispute resolution under these policies and the ToS.
4.3 Fees
Platform fees (including commissions) may be charged to clients, consultants, or both, as disclosed before checkout and/or before payout. Fees are displayed prior to payment or acceptance of relevant terms.
4.4 Taxes
Where enabled, taxes may be calculated and/or collected using third-party tools. Users remain responsible for their own tax obligations and filings. Connect Research does not provide tax advice.
4.5 Chargebacks, Fraud Reviews, and Holds
Chargebacks, reversals, suspected fraud, compliance reviews, or payment processor restrictions may result in payout delays, holds, or account limitations, consistent with the ToS.
5) Refund & Cancellation Policy
5.1 Eligibility
Refund requests may be considered when:
- a project is cancelled before work begins,
- deliverables are not provided,
- deliverables materially fail to meet agreed requirements (as supported by evidence).
5.2 Request Process
Refund or cancellation requests should be sent to contact-us@connectresearch.ca with:
- project name/ID,
- milestone(s) affected,
- reason for request,
- supporting evidence.
5.3 Before Start
If a project is cancelled before work begins, refunds may be issued where feasible, subject to payment processor constraints and any non-refundable fees described below.
5.4 During a Project
If cancellation/refund is requested during a project, Connect Research may consider:
- work completed vs. incomplete,
- milestone status,
- evidence in platform communications,
- whether partial payout/refund is appropriate.
5.5 Non-Refundable Amounts
Where permitted by law:
- certain platform fees may be non-refundable,
- payment processor fees, chargeback costs, or non-recoverable processing costs may not be refundable.
- Connect Research is not responsible for losses caused by third-party tools used outside the platform.
5.6 Timelines
Refund requests must be made within 5 days of project completion or the relevant milestone date (or within 5 days of any platform-defined acceptance date, if applicable).
6) Updates & Contact Information
6.1 Policy Updates
We may update these policies from time to time. For material changes, we will provide notice via email and/or platform notifications.
6.2 Effective Date & Acceptance
Unless stated otherwise in the notice, material updates become effective 30 days after notice is provided. Continued use of the platform after the effective date indicates acceptance, consistent with the ToS.
6.3 Contact
For questions, requests, disputes, refunds, or policy matters: contact-us@connectresearch.ca
Acknowledgment
By using Connect Research, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these policies, as incorporated into the Terms of Service.