Terms of Service

Hays Research Group LLC — Terms of Service

Last updated: April 25, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of:

  • haysresearch.com and related HRG websites

  • Alaska Panel mobile application and admin panel (alaskapanel.com, app.alaskapanel.com, admin.alaskapanel.com)

  • Participation in HRG research studies, focus groups, surveys, and panels

  • SMS/text-message exchanges with phone numbers operated by Hays Research Group LLC ("HRG," "we," "us," or "our")

By using our websites, applications, services, or communicating with HRG, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use our services.

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to participate in Alaska Panel and most HRG research studies. Specific studies may set additional eligibility requirements (residency, demographic criteria, professional role, etc.). HRG may verify eligibility and may remove participants who provide false information.

Use of Websites and Applications

You agree to use HRG websites and applications lawfully and not to:

  • Interfere with operation, security, or other users

  • Attempt unauthorized access to any systems, networks, or accounts

  • Use the services to transmit malware, spam, or unlawful content

  • Reproduce, copy, scrape, or republish content without permission

  • Create multiple accounts, misrepresent identity, or fraudulently enroll in panels or studies

  • Use automated tools to submit survey responses or interact with research studies

Research Participation

If you participate in an HRG research study (including focus groups, surveys, interviews, or Alaska Panel studies), you agree that:

  • Honest responses. You will provide truthful and good-faith responses to research questions.

  • Consent. Your participation is voluntary. Each study may include study-specific consent materials describing what information is collected, how it will be used, and any compensation. Those study-specific materials supplement these Terms.

  • Compensation. Where compensation is offered, it is subject to study-specific terms (eligibility, completion requirements, timing, delivery method). HRG uses third-party services such as Tremendous to deliver compensation. HRG is not responsible for delays, errors, or limitations of third-party payment platforms.

  • Tax reporting. Where total annual compensation paid to a participant meets IRS reporting thresholds, HRG will issue a Form 1099 (or other applicable form) and will require a completed Form W-9. You are responsible for any taxes owed on compensation you receive.

  • Confidentiality. Some studies require participants to maintain confidentiality of study materials and stimuli. Where applicable, the study-specific materials will state confidentiality obligations.

  • No employment relationship. Participation in research does not create an employment, contractor, or agency relationship between you and HRG.

  • Ownership of responses. Unless a study-specific document states otherwise, you grant HRG and its clients a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use your research responses (in identified or de-identified form, as the study consent permits) for the research purposes described.

SMS Communications

If you exchange SMS messages with HRG, the following terms apply:

  • Consent required. HRG sends SMS messages only to parties who have provided consent.

  • Opt-out. Reply STOP to any message to opt out. Reply START to opt back in.

  • Help. Reply HELP at any time for contact information.

  • No guarantee of delivery. SMS delivery depends on wireless carrier networks and is not guaranteed.

  • Carrier charges. Standard message and data rates from your wireless carrier may apply. HRG is not responsible for carrier fees.

  • Not for emergencies. Do not use SMS communications with HRG for emergencies, time-critical health matters, or any communication requiring guaranteed delivery.

  • Acceptable use. You agree not to use SMS communications with HRG for unlawful, abusive, harassing, or fraudulent purposes.

Client Engagements

Services HRG provides under a written client agreement are governed by that agreement. Nothing on the Site or in informal communications creates a contract, attorney-client relationship, professional engagement, or fiduciary duty.

Intellectual Property

All content on HRG websites and applications — including text, graphics, logos, designs, software, methodologies, and survey instruments — is the property of HRG or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not use HRG's name, trademarks, or content without prior written permission.

Research findings, reports, and deliverables produced for a client are governed by the relevant client agreement.

Health Information

Some HRG studies involve health-related questions. When HRG operates as a Business Associate to a HIPAA-covered entity, your health information is handled under the relevant Business Associate Agreement and HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules. When HRG collects health information directly for non-covered clients, HIPAA may not technically apply, but HRG treats the information as sensitive and limits its use to the research purpose described in the study-specific consent materials. See our Privacy Policy for more detail.

Disclaimers

HRG websites, applications, and informal communications are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, or non-infringement. Information on the websites may not be current or complete and should not be relied upon as professional advice.

Research findings reflect the responses, opinions, and behaviors of the participants studied and are not guarantees, medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, or representations about future outcomes.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, HRG and its members, officers, employees, and contractors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from your use of the websites, applications, research participation, SMS communications, or any other communications with HRG, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

For matters not arising under a separate written agreement, HRG's total cumulative liability arising out of or related to these Terms is limited to the greater of (a) the total compensation HRG paid you as a research participant in the twelve months preceding the claim, or (b) one hundred dollars ($100) USD.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HRG and its members, officers, employees, and contractors from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your violation of these Terms, your misuse of the websites, applications, or services, or your provision of false information in connection with research participation.

Third-Party Services

HRG websites, applications, and SMS communications may reference or rely on third-party services, including (without limitation) SurveyMonkey, Tremendous, Firebase, Twilio, DigitalOcean, and Vercel. HRG is not responsible for third-party services' content, terms, privacy practices, or availability. Your use of third-party services may be subject to those providers' separate terms.

Termination

HRG may suspend or terminate your access to websites, applications, or research panels at any time, with or without notice, for any reason — including violations of these Terms, fraudulent activity, or duplicate enrollment. Provisions intended to survive termination (including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnification, and governing law) survive.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Alaska, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising under these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Anchorage, Alaska, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

Changes to These Terms

HRG may update these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. Continued use of websites, applications, services, or SMS communications after changes constitutes acceptance.

Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact:

Hays Research Group LLC Email: info@haysresearch.com Anchorage, Alaska