FAQs about Privacy & Data Protection
Is my data safe?
Yes. Your answers are kept confidential and pseudonymized, which means your real name is never connected to your survey or interview data. If you accidentally reveal anything identifying, it’s removed before analysis. All data is stored securely according to UGent and GDPR guidelines.
Who can see my data?
Only Janieke (the researcher) and her supervisor (Prof. Dr. Elly McCausland) can access the raw data. No one else can see your answers, not your school, teachers, parents, or any other organization. Your data may be used in publications, workshops, lectures, but only in a pseudonymized way. Names or contact details will never be shared.
What personal data do you collect?
In the survey, we collect:
- your age,
- your gender,
- the country you live in,
- the languages you speak at home,
- your preferred reading language,
- and your answers
Apart from your age, you can choose to answer these questions or not. They are optional. If you choose to sign up for more information on the interview, you may give an email address, which is stored separately and used only for contacting you about the interview.
What happens to my email address if I sign up for (more information on) an interview?
Your email is stored safely and in a separate file, never together with your survey answers or your interview data. It is only used to contact you about the interview and is deleted as soon as it’s no longer needed.
Will my answer ever be linked to my name or contact info?
No. Your name and email are never linked to your survey answer or your interview transcripts. We use a pseudonym instead.
In the survey, you receive a unique 5-digit ID code. If you do an interview, we don’t use your real name for the transcript, but a pseudonym instead.
Can I withdraw my data (survey response / interview data)? How?
Yes.
- For the survey: Within 7 days of completing the survey, email readingmentors@ugent.be with the unique 5‑digit ID code shown at the end of the survey. This code lets us locate and delete the response. Without the code we cannot identify which response is yours.
- For the interview: a removal option will also be available after the interview. You’ll receive full details before any interview is planned.
What if I reveal something personal by accident?
We remind you not to include real names or specific locations, but if something identifiable slips in, we remove it before analyzing your data. We focus on your ideas, not personal details.
How long will the data be kept?
Pseudonymized research data may be kept for up to five years after the end of the project (UGent policy). Contact details (e.g., your email) are deleted once they are no longer needed.
What will my data be used for?
Your responses help with my PhD research. They may be used in academic publications, conference presentations, or workshops. No one will be able to recognize you.
Is this study GDPR-compliant?
Yes. Studies conducted in the EU must comply with GDPR requirements, such as data minimization, clear consent procedures, secure storage, and rights to access or withdraw data. This study follows GDPR and UGent policies. This study has been reviewed and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the faculty of Arts and Philosophy of Ghent University. Under no circumstances should you consider the approval by this committee as an inducement to participate in this study.
Who can I contact with questions about my privacy?
Ghent University Data Protection Officer:
Hanne Elsen
privacy@ugent.be
+32 9 264 95 17
Sint‑Pietersnieuwstraat 25, 9000 Gent