FAQs | Harris Anthropologic

FAQs & Data Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 9/30/2025

- What does Harris Anthropological Research LLC specialize in?

Harris Anthropological Research LLC (HAR) is a veteran-owned consultancy offering interdisciplinary research in User Experience, Business Intelligence Analytics, and Cultural Heritage Research. We serve institutions, governments, businesses, and communities through fieldwork and remote engagement. HAR delivers clarity-driven services and customized pricing strategies to help clients make life-centered, data-informed decisions. HAR is different in how its methodology integrates historical insight, behavioral analysis, and strategic design. We provide clients with not just answers, but meaning - why their data matters and how decisions impact wider ecological, cultural, and social contexts.

- How do you compensate research participants?

Compensations is between HAR and the participant, participants are not client-facing. Clients either pay us research incentives and we pay you or clients reimburse us for paying you. Incentives may be $10-100+/ hr or session, ideally $75 to start, depending on your background and preferences aligning with a client's budget. Pay options can be via Pay Pal or from a variety of popular gift card options (e.g., Amazon e-gift card). There is no compensation for signing up to participate via a participant screening form, which helps us determine the suitability of a potential participant.

- What makes Harris Anthropological Research LLC different from other firms?

In a word, holism! At Harris Anthropological Research LLC (HAR), we empower organizations to transform complex data into meaningful strategies that foster sustainability, innovation, and deeper connections. By integrating User Experience Research (UXR), Business Intelligence Analytics (BIA), and Cultural Heritage Research, HAR provides comprehensive, life-centered solutions that help businesses, institutions, and communities not only understand their information but uncover why it matters—ensuring insights are holistic, actionable, and responsive to both human and environmental factors.

Unlike traditional consulting approaches, HAR’s multidisciplinary methodology enables clients to optimize user experiences, refine business strategy through data analytics, and preserve cultural heritage—creating solutions that resonate beyond numbers and into meaningful impact. We help our clients uncover not just what their data says, but why it matters, ensuring that decisions are strategic, sustainable, and attuned to the real-world ecosystems in which they operate.

- Where do you operate?
HAR is Texas-based, in Cedar Park, but serves a broader area due to working largely remotely. Our address is 702 Sapling Cove, Cedar Park Texas 78613. HAR maintains a registered business address for correspondence and regulatory purposes. This address is not a public office or client-facing location. All services are conducted remotely or on-site as arranged with clients.

- What types of clients do you work with?
Individuals, small to medium businesses, Federal/state agencies, private developers, Tribal nations, non-profits, and academic institutions.

- Do you offer discounts?

We provide discounts for new clients, loyal clients, veterans/veteran-owned businesses, Tribal clients, and environmental/conservationist non-profit organizations.

- How does pricing work?

We have a variety of payment structures available depending on areas of service, offering flexibility through options for hourly rates, flat fees, bundling, subscription plans. Check back periodically as these can change.

HAR’s fee structures include:

an hourly rate of $107
flat fees ranging from $428 to $57,986 depending on project scope and service type
monthly subscription plans between $428 and $4,884 per month, depending on project scope and service type

Flat fees, bundles, and packages require a 25 percent non-refundable deposit upfront, applied toward the total invoice, with the remainder payable upon completion. Hourly rate invoices are sent weekly, with payment due upon receipt within seven days for continued service. Subscription plans are due at the beginning of each month for uninterrupted service. Additional charges may apply for travel, artifact or data cleaning, or customized deliverables. Full pricing details are available on our website.

- How does paying HAR work?

Upon your acceptance of a quote, HAR will email an invoice with a secure payment link. We accept payments via Wix Payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cash, or checks. Flat fees, bundles, and packages: Require a 25% non-refundable deposit upfront, applied toward the total invoice, with the remaining 75% balance payable upon completion. We provide clear and consistent progress updates as agreed-upon with clients. Hourly rates: Invoices are sent weekly, with payment due upon receipt within 7 days for continued service. Subscription plans: Due at the beginning of each month for continued service.

- Are quotes and initial consults free?

Yes, quotes and initial consultations are always free—we want you to feel confident before committing.

- Does your business qualify for supplier diversity or minority-owned initiatives

Yes, Harris Anthropological Research LLC is a veteran-owned small business and verified by the Texas Veteran's Commission. Certificate available on request.

- What ethical guidelines do you follow?

Harris Anthropological Research LLC adheres to a dual framework of professional ethics, reflecting both disciplinary rigor and human-centered research values:

Stewardship, by prioritizing the long-term protection and respectful treatment of cultural heritage. HAR does not appraise or facilitate the commercial exchange of archaeological materials.
Accountability, since our documentation is transparent, accurate, traceable, and designed for collaborative review. We disclose methods, limitations, and interpretive choices, and we avoid overstating certainty.
Public interest, through designing outputs (tables, reports, visualizations) with clarity and accessibility in mind, ensuring that findings contribute meaningfully to public knowledge and not just institutional archives. We believe we are obliged to find a way that balances confidentiality and interests of clients with public interests in advancing anthropological and historical knowledge.
Respect for affected groups, as we recognize that archaeological data may intersect with living communities, descendant groups, and Indigenous nations. We avoid extractive practices and seek to honor cultural protocols, especially when handling sensitive descriptors, locations, or imagery.
Avoidance of conflicts of interest, including any activity that could compromise the integrity of research or stakeholder trust.

User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) Code of Professional Conduct

Informed consent, ensuring participation is always voluntary, with clear explanations of purpose, risks, and data use. We avoid vague or overly technical language that could obscure understanding.
Privacy and confidentiality, by safeguarding personal data and respecting participant boundaries. Personally identifiable information is never disclosed without explicit permission. We use aliases, ID numbers, and secure storage to protect participant identity and context.
Integrity and transparency, through honest communication, responsible data handling, and avoidance of deceptive practices. We do not use deceptive design patterns, misleading recruitment strategies, or manipulative phrasing. Our forms, prompts, and interfaces are designed to be clear, respectful, and free of coercion.
Respect for persons, by designing research interactions that honor dignity, autonomy, and cultural context.
Prohibition on deceptive design, meaning HAR does not use manipulative interface patterns or misleading recruitment strategies.

HAR takes these values and ethics seriously. As outlined in our Terms of Use and Conditions, any attempt by a client to impose tasks, deliverables, or requests that HAR reasonably believes to violate these ethical commitments, including those related to cultural stewardship, participant dignity, or responsible research conduct, will be considered a breach of contract. HAR reserves the right to discontinue service without refund in such cases.

- Is Harris Anthropological Research LLC insured?
Yes. We are insured through Chubb, providing professional liability for errors of omission and cybersecurity breach coverage. This ensures peace of mind for our clients and partners throughout every phase of a project. Certificate of insurance available upon request.

- How is my data protected when working with Harris Anthropological Research LLC?

See below.

Data Privacy, Ethics, and Risk Management:

Our Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 7/3/2025

Last Updated: 9/30/2025

This policy outlines how Harris Anthropological Research LLC collects, uses, and protects personal data in accordance with ethical research standards and voluntary alignment with major privacy frameworks.

Harris Anthropological Research LLC (“HAR,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) upholds privacy as a matter of dignity, stewardship, and ethical responsibility. The data we handle often includes cultural, ecological, and personal dimensions. We treat it as a form of knowledge requiring ethical care, contextual sensitivity, and methodological rigor.

Our approach to privacy is guided by human-centered values, applicable laws, and professional codes of ethics, including those from the Register of Professional Archaeologists and the User Experience Professionals Association. This Privacy Policy explains how HAR collects, uses, protects, and honors data shared by clients, research participants, and website visitors.

1. Information Collection
We may collect personal information when:

You request a service quote.
You participate in research or fill out recruitment forms.
You create an account on our site.
You communicate with us directly.

Information may include your name, email, contact details, demographic and consumer insights (for participant research), project specifications, IP address, or other identifying details. We do not require personal information to browse the site.

Harris Anthropological Research LLC qualifies as a small business under Texas law and is exempt from certain provisions of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). While not legally required to comply, we voluntarily uphold its core principles, including transparency, consent, and data minimization, through ethical research practices and privacy safeguards.

2. Collection Methods
Personal data is collected through:

Service inquiry and quote request forms
Research participant recruitment forms, with sensitive fields with extra encryption
Contact forms and account creation
Automated traffic logs via Google Analytics
Secure email correspondence via ProtonMail
In-person or remote communication/observation

Sensitive participant data is gathered only with informed consent, written or verbal, and is never shared without express permission.

3. Purpose of Data Collection
We collect data in order to:

Respond to quote requests and inquiries
Communicate with clients and participants
Coordinate service delivery and scheduling
Fulfill regulatory obligations for research
Enhance website and service performance

We do not sell personal data or use it for behavior-based marketing.

4. Data Storage and Sharing
Client and participant data is temporarily stored in Wix and then deleted. Files are transferred to a secure, encrypted ProtonDrive account and retained only as needed. Unless, a client requests an alternative shared drive platform for their convenience, in which case the client assumes the risks of privacy breaches. Personally identifiable information is scrubbed from spreadsheets, replaced with aliases or ID numbers, and sanitized before sharing with clients. The only remaining link between alias and identity is a secured paper copy in a locked home office drawer, which is destroyed within seven years of project completion.
HAR may use third-party providers (e.g., payment platforms, secure storage, email tools) that operate under their own privacy terms. We do not share personal data with unaffiliated third parties except as required by law or with explicit consent. HAR does not sell personal or sensitive data, nor do we engage in targeted advertising or automated profiling. Our data handling practices are designed to exceed minimum legal requirements, reflecting our commitment to research integrity and participant protection.

5. Communication with Users
We may contact you via:

Email (including automated responses)
Direct communication for project updates
Optional educational newsletters (opt-in only)

You may opt out of any non-service communications at any time.

6. Cookies and Tracking Tools
HAR uses Google Analytics for traffic monitoring, and Wix, the platform used for this website, uses essential cookies. This collects anonymized data such as page visits and time on site. We do not use behavioral trackers or advertising cookies and do not display cookie banners on our site. Site visitors may disable cookies in their own browser settings.

The following links explain how to access cookie settings in various browsers:

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, visit this link: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

7. Participant Privacy and Ethical Protections
All research participation is voluntary and governed by informed consent procedures. Personally identifiable information is never disclosed to clients unless explicitly authorized by the participant. HAR complies with Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 9 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and relevant state and institutional policies protecting archaeological site data.
Sensitive data, including location, cultural descriptors, and photographic or video materials, are only collected, retained, or shared with appropriate permission. Unique detail combinations that could compromise anonymity are redacted before data is presented to clients or the public. As a research consultancy, HAR collects sensitive data only with informed consent and for scholarly or strategic purposes. We are exempt from TDPSA obligations due to our small business status and non-commercial data use. Nonetheless, we voluntarily align with its principles to ensure participant dignity, confidentiality, and responsible stewardship.

8. Responsible AI Use

Harris Anthropological Research LLC views artificial intelligence as a helpful partner for idea development, strategic drafting, and exploratory synthesis. We treat AI as a collaborative conversational tool, equipped with powerful search capabilities and pattern recognition, but not as a substitute for human research, disciplinary expertise, or ethical discernment.

We use AI exclusively for internal drafting and ideation activities that pose minimal ethical or privacy risk and do not involve identifiable, legal, or culturally specific data. All AI-assisted outputs are reviewed and edited by a human researcher before use.

Our AI use includes:

Writing augmentation, to refine tone, structure, and clarity in alignment with HAR’s professional, narrative-informed branding
Outline and modular synthesis support, to explore alternative frameworks, typologies, and layout strategies that may not have been previously considered
Audience-informed phrasing, to test and refine language for specific stakeholder groups using persona-based prompts
Pedagogical enhancement, to improve the readability and conceptual clarity of technical or scholarly content
Self-improvement and reflection, to iterate on internal documentation and strengthen strategic framing
Literature review augmentation, to surface relevant publications and frameworks not previously identified through manual search
Fact-checking and reference validation, to cross-check AI-generated content against authoritative sources and ensure scholarly integrity

We do not use AI for legal interpretation, regulatory analysis, or literature reviews of law. While AI may assist in locating links to relevant statutes or policies, all legal assessments are conducted independently. Similarly, HAR does not rely on AI to interpret cultural or archaeological particularities, which require contextual sensitivity and human expertise.

Personally identifiable information is never input into generative systems. The AI we primarily use are Microsoft Copilot and Lumo within secure environments. In sum, our AI practices reflect HAR’s commitment to transparency, accountability, clarity, and precaution.

9. Voluntary Alignment with Privacy Frameworks

Harris Anthropological Research LLC is a small, Texas-based business that does not meet the thresholds for mandatory compliance with the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We do not sell personal data, engage in behavioral advertising, or operate internationally.

These principles guide our privacy practices and reflect our commitment to participant dignity, research integrity, and responsible stewardship:

Transparency, by clearly communicating how and why personal data is collected, used, and protected
Consent, by ensuring individuals understand and agree to data collection through informed, voluntary participation
Access, by allowing individuals to view, retrieve, or request copies of their personal data when feasible
Correction, by enabling individuals to update or amend inaccurate or outdated information
Deletion, by honoring requests to remove personal data when no longer needed or when consent is withdrawn
Data minimization, by collecting only the information necessary for research or service delivery
Purpose limitation, by using data solely for the purposes stated at the time of collection
Security, by safeguarding data through encryption, secure storage, and confidentiality protocols
Accountability, by documenting our data practices and responding to inquiries or concerns with integrity
Non-discrimination, by ensuring that individuals are not penalized for exercising their data rights

10. Privacy Policy Updates
We may update this policy to reflect changes in legislation, ethical standards, or operational practices. Updates will be posted to this page with a revised effective date. Where possible, HAR will update users (if they have an account with HAR's website), subscribers, and clients regarding updates to terms and conditions and privacy policy. Continued use of the site implies acceptance of the latest version. This policy is subject to change and should be reviewed periodically.

11. Contact Information
For questions or data-related requests, contact:
John S. Harris
Managing Member
Harris Anthropological Research LLC
harrisanthropologicalresearch@gmail.com
harrisanthropologicalresearch@pm.me
406-207-3898