TraitAtlas.org

About / FAQ

1. Who We Are

Trait Atlas is an independent scientific initiative dedicated to understanding human psychological traits through quantitative research.

Our primary focus is the development of reliable psychometric models that help explain the diversity of human sexuality, including BDSM-related traits, interests, and psychological orientations.

Rather than relying on assumptions or stereotypes, we aim to understand these topics through careful measurement, statistical analysis, and transparent scientific methods.

2. How Our Research Works

Our research primarily uses anonymous online surveys.

Participants voluntarily answer questionnaires concerning psychological traits, preferences, experiences, and attitudes.

Individual responses are analyzed collectively to identify statistical patterns that cannot be observed from individual cases.

Our work contributes to:

• psychological theory,
• psychometric instrument development,
• scientific publications,
• educational resources,
• and publicly accessible applications based on scientific findings.

3. Funding and Independence

Trait Atlas is currently an independent research initiative.

At present, we do not receive institutional research funding.

In the future, we may apply for research grants or accept donations from individuals, private organizations, public institutions, or charitable foundations.

Financial support does not grant any individual or organization authority over our scientific methods, analyses, conclusions, publications, or research priorities.

Scientific independence remains one of our core principles.

Privacy

Privacy

Protecting participant privacy is one of our highest priorities.

For this reason, Trait Atlas is designed to collect as little identifying information as possible.

Specifically:

• We do not ask for your name.
• We do not ask for your email address.
• We do not ask for your phone number.
• We do not request government identification.
• We do not intentionally collect IP addresses for research purposes.
• We do not use advertising cookies.
• We do not use marketing cookies.
• We do not use visitor analytics to track your activity on our website.

Because we do not collect identifying information alongside survey responses, we cannot reasonably associate survey responses with individual participants.

What Information Do We Collect?

The only information we retain is the information that participants voluntarily submit through our surveys.

This may include:

• questionnaire responses,
• optional written comments.

We do not retain information beyond what is necessary for conducting our research.

Data Security

Anonymous survey responses are stored securely and are accessible only to individuals authorized to conduct research on behalf of Trait Atlas.

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect stored research data from unauthorized access.

Paid Accounts

Paid assessments require an account so participants can return to an assessment, finish it later, and access their results while the paid access period remains active.

For paid accounts, Trait Atlas may retain the email address used for account access, purchase status, assessment access dates, login status, and Stripe payment references needed to confirm payment, refunds, or access rights.

Stripe processes payment details. Trait Atlas does not store credit card numbers, card security codes, or bank account details.

Paid assessment results require account login. Public session links are not used for paid results.

Paid users may request deletion from their account page. Deletion removes linked paid survey sessions and responses, removes login access, and anonymizes payment records where retention is necessary for accounting, fraud prevention, or legal compliance.

Paid account deletion is definitive. Once the linked paid assessment data is deleted, Trait Atlas cannot retrieve it. The only way to obtain similar information again would be to purchase access again and retake the assessment.

Research participation

Research Participation & Consent Policy

Participation

Participation in Trait Atlas research is entirely voluntary.

You may choose whether or not to complete any survey.

By submitting a completed survey, you acknowledge that you have voluntarily chosen to participate.

Use of Your Responses

By submitting a survey, you consent to the use of your anonymous responses for research purposes.

Responses may be used to:

• analyze traits,
• develop and validate psychometric models,
• improve future questionnaires,
• publish scientific articles,
• present findings at research conferences,
• produce educational materials,
• develop publicly available reports,
• create software, assessments, and research tools,
• support future scientific research conducted by Trait Atlas.

Findings will be reported as aggregated statistical summaries rather than individual responses.

Data Sharing

Trait Atlas does not publish individual survey responses.

Anonymous aggregated results may be included in:

• scientific publications,
• conference presentations,
• educational resources,
• public reports,
• collaborations with qualified researchers.

If research collaborations occur in the future, only anonymous research data necessary for those collaborations may be shared.

Any collaboration will be disclosed in this section. We currently have no collaborations, nor do we foresee one in the future.

Commercial Use

Research findings, statistical models, questionnaires, software, educational materials, and other intellectual property developed from Trait Atlas research may be used in both non-commercial and commercial activities.

Survey responses will never be sold.

Individual anonymous survey responses will never be sold.

Withdrawal of Data

Because Trait Atlas does not collect identifying information, we cannot determine which survey responses belong to a particular individual.

For this reason, once anonymous survey responses have been submitted, we are generally unable to retrieve, modify, or delete an individual's responses.

If you do not wish your anonymous responses to be used for research, please do not submit the survey.

Consent

By submitting a survey, you acknowledge that:

• your participation is voluntary;
• your responses are anonymous;
• your anonymous responses may be retained indefinitely for research purposes;
• your responses may contribute to scientific publications, educational materials, statistical models, software, questionnaires, and other research outputs developed by Trait Atlas;
• individual responses will not be published in a form intended to identify you;
• you understand that, because your responses are anonymous, they generally cannot be withdrawn after submission.