Privacy Policy

Meridian Research Consultancy

Effective Date: January 1, 2026 | Last Updated: January 18, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Meridian Research Consultancy ("we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and respect. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or communicate with us. By accessing our website or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you: • Request a consultation or inquiry about our services • Fill out contact forms on our website • Communicate with us via email, WeChat, or other messaging platforms • Engage our consultancy services • Subscribe to our newsletters or updates • Participate in surveys or provide feedback This information may include: • Name and professional title • Email address • Phone number • WeChat ID or other messaging app usernames • Institutional affiliation (university, research center, hospital) • Research interests and areas of expertise • Academic credentials and qualifications • Country of residence • Language preferences • Any other information you choose to provide

2.2 Project and Research-Related Information

When you engage our consultancy services, we may collect: • Research questions and objectives • Manuscript drafts and supporting documents • Statistical data and datasets for analysis • Systematic review protocols • Literature search strategies • Publication targets and journal preferences • Reviewer comments and correspondence • Any other materials necessary to provide our services

2.3 Payment and Billing Information

We collect information necessary to process payments, including: • Billing name and address • Payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors) • Invoice and transaction history • Tax identification information (if applicable)

2.4 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect: • IP address and location data • Browser type and version • Device information (type, operating system) • Pages visited and time spent on pages • Referring website addresses • Date and time of visits • Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 4)

2.5 Communications

We retain records of communications between you and Meridian Research Consultancy, including: • Email correspondence • WeChat or other messaging app conversations • Phone call logs (if applicable) • Meeting notes and consultation records

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery

• To provide systematic review, meta-analysis, and statistical consultancy services • To communicate with you about your projects and deliverables • To conduct statistical analyses and prepare reports • To respond to your inquiries and requests • To schedule consultations and meetings

3.2 Business Operations

• To process payments and maintain billing records • To maintain client records and project documentation • To improve our services and develop new offerings • To manage our business operations and internal administration

3.3 Communication and Marketing

• To send you information about our services (with your consent) • To provide updates, newsletters, and educational content • To respond to your questions and feedback • To notify you of changes to our services or policies

3.4 Legal and Compliance

• To comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements • To protect our rights and interests • To prevent fraud and ensure security • To enforce our Terms of Service

3.5 Analytics and Improvement

• To analyze website usage and improve user experience • To understand client needs and preferences • To evaluate the effectiveness of our marketing efforts

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. Types of Cookies We Use: • Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website • Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings • Marketing Cookies: Track your visits across websites for marketing purposes You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our website.

5. How We Share Your Information

We respect your privacy and do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in: • Website hosting and maintenance • Email communication services • Payment processing (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, Alipay, WeChat Pay) • Data storage and backup services • Analytics and performance monitoring These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

5.2 Professional Collaborators

With your explicit consent, we may collaborate with: • Statistical experts or specialized consultants for complex analyses • Language editors or translators (for bilingual services) • Subject matter experts in specific research domains All collaborators are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, legal process, or governmental request, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to: • Comply with legal obligations • Protect our rights and property • Prevent fraud or security threats • Protect the safety of our clients and staff

5.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, sale, or transfer of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

5.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information for purposes not described in this policy with your explicit consent.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Security Measures Include: • Encryption of data in transit and at rest • Secure server infrastructure • Access controls and authentication • Regular security audits and updates • Employee training on data protection • Confidentiality agreements with staff and contractors However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Client Confidentiality

We understand the sensitive nature of research projects and academic work. We maintain strict confidentiality regarding:

7.1 Research Projects

• All research data, manuscripts, and project materials remain confidential • We do not disclose your research questions, findings, or methodologies to third parties • Unpublished work is never shared without your explicit written permission

7.2 Project Attribution

• We do not claim authorship or co-authorship on your publications unless explicitly agreed upon • We do not publicly disclose our involvement in your projects without permission • Client names and institutional affiliations are kept confidential unless you authorize disclosure

7.3 Anonymized Examples

• We may create anonymized case studies or portfolio examples that remove all identifying information • Statistical outputs (e.g., forest plots, GRADE tables) may be used as generic examples with no client identification • We will always seek your permission before using any project-related materials, even in anonymized form

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Retention Periods: • Client Information: Retained for the duration of the business relationship and up to 7 years thereafter for legal and tax purposes • Project Materials: Retained as agreed upon in our service contracts (typically 2-5 years after project completion) • Communications: Email and messaging records retained for up to 5 years • Financial Records: Retained for 7 years to comply with tax and accounting requirements • Website Analytics: Aggregated and anonymized data may be retained indefinitely You may request deletion of your personal information at any time, subject to legal and contractual obligations.

9. International Data Transfers

Meridian Research Consultancy may serve clients globally, and your information may be transferred to, stored, or processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including: • Standard contractual clauses • Adequacy decisions by relevant data protection authorities • Your explicit consent where required

10. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

10.1 Access and Portability

• Right to access your personal information • Right to receive a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format

10.2 Correction and Updates

• Right to correct inaccurate or incomplete information • Right to update your contact details and preferences

10.3 Deletion

• Right to request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations) • Right to be forgotten in certain circumstances

10.4 Restriction and Objection

• Right to restrict processing of your information • Right to object to certain types of processing (e.g., marketing communications)

10.5 Withdrawal of Consent

• Right to withdraw consent for data processing at any time • This does not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal

10.6 Complaints

• Right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority in your jurisdiction To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 14.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.

12. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, platforms, or services (e.g., journal websites, academic databases, payment processors). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or business operations. When we make material changes, we will: • Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy • Notify you via email or prominent notice on our website • Seek your consent if required by law We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: Meridian Research Consultancy Email: [email protected] WeChat: Scan the QR code below to add us Website: https://meridianresearches.com We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.