ONLINE MODULE 6

define research data

any information which is collected, observed, generated or created to validate original research findings

what are some general examples of research data

documents

spreadsheets

clinical records

blood films

define data integrity

the overall accuracy, completeness and consistency of data

also refers to the safety of data in regards to regulatory compliance

define physical integrity

protection of data wholeness and accuracy as it is stored and received

define logical integrity

keeps data unchanged as it is used in different ways in a database

what are some risks of data integrity

human error

transfer error

bugs and viruses

compromised hardware

what are 6 ways we minimise risks to data integrity

1. limit data access and restrict permissions of unauthorised parties

2. validate data to make sure it is correct at time of gathering and use

3. back up data

4. log when data is added, modified or deleted

5. conduct regular audits

6. use error detection software

define a data management plan

document outlining how you intend to handle your data

what should be included in a data management plan

the type of data being collected

how and where will you store data

who will have access to your data

adressment of legislative requirements

agreements regarding data ownership

how, when and where data will be shared at the end

what does data ownership refer to

the intellectual property rights over the data created through research

it involved the researcher, institution, funding agency and any participating human subjects

describe data ownership at curtin

students retain ownership of their data and researchers need to make clear agreements with all collaborators prior to starting research

what should we consider for file management

file naming

folders and directory structures

file versioning

file formats

list the FAIR qualities of research data

findable

accessible

interporable

reusable

elaborate on findable as a FAIR quality

properly describe what the data is

place it in a searchable place, that is easy for humans and computers to locate

elaborate on accessible as a FAIR quality

use non proprietary, standardised and automated methods to supply data to those who need it

elaborate on interporable as a FAIR quality

store and providing data in widely used and accessible file formats

elaborate on reusable as a FAIR quality

make clear how the data was collected

what are the outcomes of publishing data

improve knowledge in area

reliability

citations

professional connections

what is a retention requirement

every researcher must retain their research data for a period of time

the duration varies based on nature of research

list the retention requirements for different research types

major data - retain permanently

minor data (human/animal data and high risk materials) - 50 yrs min.

minor data (clinical trials) - 25 yrs min.

minor data (children) - 7 yrs min.

short term (student data for assessment purposes) - 12 months