Terms of Service

1. Services Provided

mmedlab provides research support services including:

• Literature search and synthesis
• Statistical analysis and data processing
• Research protocol and methodology support
• Academic writing, structuring, and editing
• Journal manuscript preparation and submission support
• Reference verification and citation management

1.1 Nature of Services

Our services constitute research infrastructure support. We provide literature searches with documented methodology, evidence extraction and organisation, structured drafts for client review and refinement, and data analysis support. All deliverables are provided for your review and approval before use.

1.2 What We Do Not Provide

• Final manuscripts for direct submission without client review and approval
• Medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment recommendations
• Guaranteed acceptance by any journal, institution, or ethics committee
• Services that would constitute academic dishonesty under your institution's policies

2. Client Responsibilities

2.1 Intellectual Contribution

You are responsible for:

• Reviewing and approving all deliverables before submission
• Ensuring your use of our services complies with your institution's ethical guidelines
• Maintaining intellectual ownership and accountability for your research
• Verifying the accuracy of all content before use
• Obtaining all required ethics committee approvals before data analysis begins

2.2 Compliance

You are responsible for ensuring your use of our services complies with your institution's academic integrity policies, professional licensing requirements, research ethics guidelines, and applicable laws.

3. Intellectual Property

Upon full payment, you receive a non-exclusive licence to use, modify, and submit deliverables for their intended purpose. You may not resell or redistribute deliverables.

Our research methodologies, processes, and tools remain our intellectual property. Documentation of methodology provided with deliverables may be shared with supervisors, ethics committees, or reviewers as required.

4. Payment Terms

• Standard projects: Full payment before work begins
• Packages over R5,000: 50% deposit, 50% on completion

4.1 Refunds

• Full refund if project has not started
• Partial refund prorated to work completed if cancellation occurs during a project
• No refund for completed and delivered work

5. Disclaimers

5.1 No Guarantee of Outcomes

We do not guarantee acceptance by any journal, institution, ethics committee, or review board. Academic and publication outcomes depend on factors outside our control.

5.2 No Medical Advice

mmedlab provides research support only. We do not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment recommendations. All clinical decisions must be made by qualified healthcare professionals.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• Our liability is limited to the amount paid for the specific service
• We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
• We are not liable for academic, clinical, or publication outcomes
• We are not liable for third-party decisions (journal editors, ethics committees, supervisors)

7. Confidentiality

We treat all client information as strictly confidential. We will not disclose project details, research topics, or deliverables to third parties except with your explicit consent, as required by law, or to subcontractors bound by confidentiality agreements.

8. Termination

Either party may terminate a project with written notice:

• We will deliver all work completed to date
• Refunds will be prorated to work completed
• Confidentiality obligations continue after termination

9. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Disputes will be resolved through arbitration in South Africa, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

10. Contact

For questions about these Terms: legal@mmedlab.com