Archived Version

Research Services Attachment

Last modified: September 14, 2020 (view archived versions)

This Attachment will apply to the extent that Contractor provides any research Services. To the extent this Attachment and the body of the ISA conflict, this Attachment will govern.

1. Definition. “Personal Information” has the meaning given to it in the Information Protection Addendum referenced in ISA Section 6.6 (Privacy and Security).

2. Research Services.

2.1 Blind Studies. Unless otherwise requested by Google in writing, Contractor will run blind studies using all necessary measures to avoid disclosing that the study is being conducted on Google’s behalf. Contractor will invite only those participants who are comfortable with blind studies and who do not have any objection to participating in a study sponsored by a large technology company. If requested by Google, Contractor will also enable Google team members to observe study sessions either remotely or in-person without disclosing their identity to the participants.

2.2 Participant Recruitment. Contractor will identify, screen, schedule, and track participants based on criteria Google provides. Contractor will ensure all participants meet such criteria. Contractor will ensure that participants arrive for the study on time and will have backup participants available as needed.

2.3 Minors. Contractor will not include minors as part of the Services or the creation of any Deliverables unless expressly approved in advance in writing by Google. If Google provides such approval, then:

(A) Contractor will identify if each participant is a minor in the jurisdiction relevant to the Services and will provide the following additional Services:
- (1) manage intake of each minor, including:
- - (a) verifying each minor’s identity and identification of the parents or legal guardians for each minor; and
  - (b) verifying each minor’s qualifications; and
- (2) collect signed study participant consents from the respective parent or legal guardian of each participating minor that meets the requirements of the Informed Consent Form described below (the “Minor Consents”).
(B) Contractor will provide the following additional Deliverables:
- (1) signed Minor Consents; and
- (2) at Google's request, copies of any other related materials showing that parents’ and legal guardians’ identities were checked and consent was given for the study.

3. Informed Consents.

3.1 Informed Consent Form. Unless instructed otherwise by Google, Contactor will prepare an informed consent form (“Informed Consent Form”) for each study, which must:

(A) clearly and explicitly obtain participants’ consent to collect their Personal Information and explain the purpose of such collection;
(B) permit Contractor to share participant Personal Information, feedback, ideas, reports, and audio/video study recordings with Google as necessary to provide the Services and Deliverables to Google;
(C) require that participants not disclose any information relating to the study or any Google Confidential Information;
(D) identify any minor participants and verify the minimum age for the participants to provide informed consent in the applicable jurisdiction where the study is taking place; and
(E) obtain Minor Consents from the respective parent or legal guardian of each participating minor.

3.2 Handling Process. Contractor represents and warrants that it will obtain participants' informed consent prior to collecting their Personal Information in accordance with applicable privacy laws. Unless otherwise stated in an SOW, Contractor will prepare, distribute, collect, and track Informed Consent Forms prior to conducting any research activities. Additionally, Contractor will provide Google with evidence of executed Informed Consent Forms, if requested.

4. Personal Information. Unless an SOW provides otherwise, Contractor will not provide Google with any Personal Information, or any information that Google could use or recognize as personally identifiable information in connection with any of the Services or Deliverables.

5. Contests. Contractor will not run any contests, prize draws, or competitions on Google’s behalf to incentivize any person in taking part in any part of the Services or providing content or information for the Deliverables or the creation of the Deliverables.

6. Research Standard. Contractor will conduct studies in a non-coercive manner and will comply with all applicable ethical guidelines. Contractor will provide sufficient time for participants to review and understand the Informed Consent Form and ask questions. Participation must be voluntary and the Contractor will inform participants that they can keep their incentives, if any, even if they choose to withdraw after the study has begun.