Is the study confidential?

Yes! Your answers will be treated in strict confidence, as stated in the Data Protection Act.

We take great care to protect the confidentiality of the information we are given. The study results will never be in a form which can reveal your identity and will be used for statistical research purposes only. When we report the results form the study, we will be looking at patterns of responses across the population as a whole - not at the responses of individual people. No information will be released from the study that could identify any individuals or families.

In addition, all respondents have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

Unlike other surveys that you may have taken part in, the information you provide is not used to help companies sell their products or for marketing. Rather, it is used to help the Government understand life in Scotland and to design policies which aim to help people.

Social research, like the Growing Up in Scotland Study, is governed by strict guidelines and codes of conduct which protects your identity and the answers you give. For example, the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen)is not allowed to say to anyone whether or not you have taken part. Because you are protected in this way, there is no need to be worried about any of the answers you give; the ScotCen will never pass this information on to anyone in such a way that you can be identified.

You can also be assured that taking part in the study will not lead to junk mail or any other unwanted contact. The research team will send a newsletter once a year and a thank you letter for taking part. That is it!

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