2. Acceptance of These Terms
By using the Website, you confirm that:
- You have read and understood these Terms;
- You agree to comply with them;
- You will use the Website lawfully;
- Information supplied by you will be accurate to the best of your knowledge;
- You will not use the Website for fraudulent, unlawful, abusive, or unauthorized purposes; and
- You have the legal capacity or authorization necessary to enter into agreements applicable to your use of the Website.
If you are using the Website on behalf of an organization, you represent that you are authorized to act on behalf of that organization.
3. Changes to These Terms
DScholar may update, amend, replace, or modify these Terms from time to time. Changes may be made to reflect:
- Changes in law & regulatory requirements;
- Website functionality, payment systems, or account features;
- New services or changes in business practices;
- Security requirements or other legitimate operational requirements.
The updated version published on the Website will constitute the current version of these Terms unless otherwise stated. Your continued use of the Website after an updated version becomes available may constitute acceptance of the revised Terms, subject to applicable law.
4. Website Services
The Website may display and provide information concerning various DScholar services, including but not limited to Data Collection, Data Analytics, Research Analytics, Research Consultancy, Publication Support, Career Guidance, Academic and research support, Professional consultancy, and other services introduced by DScholar.
The availability of a service on the Website does not necessarily mean that the service is available for every project, client, location, timeframe, or requirement. DScholar may assess individual requirements before accepting a consultancy engagement.
5. Online Consultation
DScholar may provide prospective clients with the opportunity to book an online consultation. An online consultation is intended to allow the client and DScholar to discuss requirements and determine service suitability.
An initial consultation:
- Does not automatically create a consultancy contract;
- Does not guarantee acceptance of a project or a particular project outcome;
- Does not constitute a commitment to provide paid services; and
- Does not establish a Consultancy Agreement unless the parties subsequently enter into the applicable agreement.
6 & 7. Consultancy Proposals & Agreements
Proposals: Following an initial consultation, DScholar may provide a consultancy proposal specifying scope of work, deliverables, timelines, fees, payment schedule, review terms, and project conditions. A proposal does not constitute a binding engagement until accepted and formalized.
Agreements: Where services are accepted, the engagement may be governed by a separate Consultancy Agreement. Where a valid project-specific agreement conflicts with these general Website Terms, the project-specific agreement shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.
8 & 9. Pricing & Specialized Units
No Fixed Fee: DScholar does not maintain one universal fixed fee. Fees are determined on a project-specific basis depending on complexity, data requirements, scope, timeline, expertise, and urgency.
Specialized Units: DScholar may operate specialized units, including DScholar Press and DScholar Web, which have separate pricing structures, websites, terms, and conditions. Pricing displayed for DSCHOLARRESEARCH.COM does not automatically apply to DScholar Press or DScholar Web.
10 & 11. User Account Registration & Security
Registration: Creating an account requires accurate, current, and complete information (such as name, email, contact, billing details). You must not create accounts using false identities or unauthorized data.
Security: You are responsible for protecting your credentials. You must use strong passwords, refrain from sharing logins, log out of shared devices, and promptly report unauthorized access. DScholar will not knowingly request your password through unsolicited communications.
12 & 13. Client Dashboard & Payment Documents
Registered clients receive access to a Client Dashboard / My Account area to view account info, transactions, order records, and download payment documents (Invoices, Bills, Receipts, Confirmations). Clients must review payment documents promptly and report apparent errors.
14–17. Online Payments & Provider Terms
The Website facilitates online payments utilizing SureCart and processors such as PayPal and Razorpay.
- Third-Party Providers: Payment processors are independent entities operating under their own terms, privacy policies, banking rules, limits, and verification processes. DScholar is not liable for provider delays, declines, or blocks.
- Authorization: Initiating payment confirms your authorization to use the payment method and that details provided are accurate.
- Confirmation: Payments are confirmed when successfully received and verified by DScholar's systems. Debits or pending screenshots do not constitute final receipt until verified.
18–20. Fees, Refunds & Project Commencement
Fees & Taxes: Fees, taxes, and transaction costs will be communicated via proposals, invoices, or agreements.
Refunds: Governed by the applicable Refund and Cancellation Policy or Consultancy Agreement. Payments do not create an unconditional right to a refund.
Commencement: Projects commence after contractual execution, payment confirmation, and receipt of required materials.
21–24. E-Workspace, Client Responsibilities & Completion
E-Workspace: DScholar may provide project coordination facilities for communication, file sharing, and updates.
Client Responsibilities: Clients must provide accurate, lawful, and timely datasets, approvals, and feedback. Delays in supplying information may adjust project timelines.
Revisions & Completion: Revisions are provided within agreed contractual limits. Out-of-scope requests require separate fees. Projects complete upon delivery of agreed deliverables.
25. Website Content Is Not a Guarantee
Information on the Website describes methodologies and expectations but does not constitute an unconditional guarantee of journal publication, acceptance, statistical significance, academic outcomes, funding, or career advancement. External decisions remain entirely under third-party institutional control.
26 & 27. Prohibited Uses & Account Suspension
Prohibitions: Users must not violate laws, commit fraud, impersonate others, circumvent security, introduce malware, scrape content, reverse engineer systems, abuse e-Workspaces, or harass personnel.
Suspension/Termination: DScholar reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts in cases of suspected fraud, unlawful activity, terms violations, or security risks.
28 & 29. Account Closure & Intellectual Property
Users may request account closure, subject to legal recordkeeping requirements. All Website original text, branding, logos, graphics, and page layouts are owned by or licensed to DScholar and protected under intellectual property laws.
30–33. User Content, Privacy & Cookies
Users remain responsible for content they submit and guarantee they hold appropriate rights. Personal information processing, cookie utilization, and data protection practices are governed by DScholar's Privacy Policy, Client Confidentiality Policy, and Cookie Policy.
34–37. Integration with Third-Party Platforms
The Website integrates with independent platforms, including SureCart, PayPal, and Razorpay. Use of these integrated platforms is subject to their respective terms and privacy policies.
38 & 39. Electronic Communications & Records
Users consent to receiving electronic notices (email, website alerts, WhatsApp messages) regarding accounts, transactions, invoices, and projects. Electronic records generated through authorized channels serve as valid transaction records.
40–42. Website Availability & External Links
DScholar aims for reliable operations but does not warrant uninterrupted or error-free access. The Website may undergo maintenance or updates without prior notice. DScholar is not responsible for external third-party linked websites.
43–46. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, DScholar and its personnel are not liable for indirect, consequential, or remote losses (e.g., lost opportunities or profits). Claims relating to services performed by personnel in their authorized capacity should be directed against the Company. Aggregate liability for paid services shall not exceed the amount actually paid by the client for that specific service.
47–51. Indemnification, Force Majeure & Security
Clients agree to indemnify DScholar against losses arising from unlawful use, terms violations, fraud, or third-party rights infringements. Neither party is liable for delays caused by Force Majeure events (natural disasters, pandemics, internet outages, regulatory changes). DScholar employs reasonable fraud-prevention and security controls.
52–57. Capacity, Commercial Use & Service Termination
Users must possess legal capacity to enter into agreements. Commercial resale or unauthorized exploitation of Website access is strictly prohibited. Client feedback must be provided honestly. DScholar maintains rights to modify, suspend, or terminate Website features in accordance with legal and contractual standards.