The short version: PsychScales collects basic, anonymous analytics data via Google Analytics 4 to understand how the tool is used. No personal accounts, no registration, and no data you enter is stored on our servers. Your API key (if you use the Design Assistant) exists only in your browser session and is never transmitted to us.
PsychScales (psychometricscales.com) is a free academic tool developed and maintained by Associate Professor Gavin Northey, Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
For privacy-related enquiries, contact: g.northey@griffith.edu.au
We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to collect anonymous usage data. This helps us understand which features researchers find most useful and how the database grows over time. GA4 collects:
IP addresses are anonymised by Google before storage. We do not collect your name, email address, or any information that directly identifies you.
| Data type | Collected? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name or email address | No | No registration or accounts on PsychScales |
| Search queries you enter | No | Search terms are not logged or transmitted to us |
| Anthropic API key | No | Only required if you use the Design Assistant feature. Held in your browser session only; clears when you close the tab; never sent to our servers |
| Projects / saved scales | No | Stored locally in your browser only, using localStorage |
PsychScales itself does not set any first-party cookies. Google Analytics 4 sets cookies to distinguish users and sessions for analytics purposes. The primary GA4 cookies are _ga and _ga_<container-id>, which persist for up to 13 months.
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking at any time by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, or by adjusting cookie settings in your browser.
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom, our lawful basis for processing analytics data is legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR). Our legitimate interest is understanding how the tool is used so we can improve it as a free academic resource. Analytics data is anonymous, aggregated, and is not used for advertising or profiling.
You have the right to object to processing on this basis. To do so, use the Google Analytics opt-out tool linked above, or contact us directly.
Analytics data is processed by Google LLC under a Data Processing Agreement. Google acts as a data processor on our behalf. For details of how Google handles analytics data, see Google's Privacy Policy and Google Analytics data practices.
If you choose to use the Design Assistant feature, your research query is sent directly from your browser to the Anthropic API using your own API key. PsychScales does not receive, log, or store your query or the API response. Your use of the Anthropic API is governed by Anthropic's own privacy policy and terms of service.
PsychScales is hosted on Netlify. Netlify may log standard server access data (IP address, request path, timestamp) for security and infrastructure purposes. These logs are not used by us for analytics and are governed by Netlify's own privacy policy.
GA4 analytics data is retained for 14 months, after which it is automatically deleted by Google. We do not hold any other personal data. Browser-local data (saved projects, recent scales) remains on your own device until you clear your browser storage.
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:
Because GA4 data is anonymous and not linked to any identifier we control, fulfilling access or erasure requests for analytics data may not be technically possible. You can prevent future collection at any time using the opt-out mechanism above.
EU/UK residents who have concerns about our data practices may lodge a complaint with their national data protection authority.
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in the tool or applicable law. The "last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. Continued use of PsychScales after a policy update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how your data is handled, please contact:
Associate Professor Gavin Northey
Griffith Business School, Griffith University
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
g.northey@griffith.edu.au