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Decisions to Release Data
In practice, Principal Investigators usually decide whether and how to release data. Considerations include:
- Is the PI confident that the data is accurate and reliable?
- Is it significant enough to publish?
- Should negative results be published?
- Have obligations to granting agencies and project sponsors been satisfied?
Human Subjects
This important topic is treated in a separate module in this series. It is worth reiterating that special data-management practices are necessary for research projects involving human subjects. The most common types of projects involving human subjects are:
- Medical research that may involve personal medical information, including DNA information, about individuals
- Psychological testing and interviews
- Opinion surveys, including questionnaires and interviews
Each discipline has well-established protocols for protecting the types of information it handles. Knowledge of these protocols is essential for investigators in a particular discipline. In general, all records should be kept confidential, and written records should be carefully secured. Failure to adhere to these protocols could result in serious harm or embarrassment to not only the subjects but also the investigators. In extreme cases, it could subject the investigators and EMU to legal action.
Industrial Contracts
Industrial sponsors of academic research often want to have raw processed data secured at the university. They have legitimate reasons for wanting security, since premature distribution of the information could help competitors and could jeopardize patent rights.
While legitimate, the sponsors' desire for information security does not harmonize well with normal practice in many university laboratories. Universities generally operate in an open way, with
- information flowing informally and in seminars among investigators working on different projects
- shared work-spaces, instruments, computers, and networks
- absence of strict practices for securing raw and processed data within laboratories (except where human subjects are involved—see module.), and
- relatively open reporting to the university administration.
These differences are best addressed as the initial agreement is formulated between the sponsor and the University. Compromises may be necessary from both sides. Once an agreement is reached, all University personnel involved in a project should be made aware of the contract provisions. The Principal Investigator and the administration should make a good-faith effort to carry out the agreed practices. Again, the PI should consult with the Office of Legal Affairs in cases where a request for data or project results have been made under a Freedom of Information Act.
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