(1) This Policy forms part of the Charles Sturt University (the University) governance framework for research data management by recognising research data as a valuable product of research activity that can assist in promoting open enquiry and debate, complementing research outputs and publications, providing research transparency, and justifying research outcomes. (2) This Policy allows for research collaboration opportunities within the University and externally; will assist in increasing the research impact for the University and researchers by raising the profile of individuals; and contribute to innovation. (3) The purpose of this Policy is to ensure a coordinated approach to research data management, which in turn will ensure improvement of research tools and services for researchers by: (4) This Policy applies to all research conducted by or on behalf of all Charles Sturt University academic and general staff, adjuncts, contractors, consultants, partners, volunteers and students engaged in the creation, management, curation and use of research data in which ownership is vested in the University. This includes all disciplines across all faculties, divisions and research centres of the University. (5) In addition to this Policy, all research is subject to the provisions of any relevant contracts or funding and/or collaboration agreements. (6) In this Policy: (7) Researchers have a responsibility to: (8) The University has a responsibility to provide secure research data storage and record-keeping facilities enabling researchers to: (9) For research conducted by or on behalf of Charles Sturt University, the University will provide facilities or access to facilities for the safe and secure storage of research data and for maintaining records of where research data are stored. This includes the research data of undergraduate and post graduate by course work students researching/publishing in affiliation with the University. (10) During the active research phase research data must be stored in suitable storage facilities either in the school, centre or institute, or centrally provided by the Division of Information Technology. (11) After completion of the active research phase when research data needs to be in long-term storage, research data should be transferred to central storage facilities. Research data should be kept in durable formats to aid preservation and access, and it may be necessary to convert data into newer or more accessible formats over time. (12) Where more than one institution is involved in a project, agreements will be developed from the outset in regards to storage of research data and primary materials in accordance with the Code. (13) Data should be retained in a durable and retrievable format. The minimum recommended period for retention of research data is five years from the date of the last publication related to the data or five years from the date the data was last accessed. However, in any particular case, the period for which data should be retained is determined by the specific type of research. Detailed information for the types of research can be found in the Research Data Management Guidelines. (14) There is no requirement to dispose of research data. There is a minimum period that research data should be retained for and there is a requirement for the safe and secure storage of research data. (15) If a decision is made to dispose of research data (after the minimum period has elapsed depending on the specific type of research or the period of time required to retain the research data has elapsed following the research being challenged or an allegation of research misconduct) then as a general rule, only after obtaining approval from the Records Management Unit or CSU Regional Archives, disposal of research data should be planned and deliberate, using secure disposal mechanisms (for example using a professional data erasing service to remove data on hard disk drives) so that they cannot be re-used in unauthorised ways. (16) Research data must be easily identified, quickly retrievable and discoverable. (17) Where appropriate, research data and primary materials should be made available for use by other researchers for further research unless precluded by the conditions under which they were obtained, privacy, or confidentiality matters. Researchers re-using data should consult with the original creator or collector or the current owner regarding access to data and primary materials. The original collectors and creators of research data should be acknowledged in future work and publication by subsequent users of data via the usual academic conventions and principles of citation. (18) Researchers given access to confidential information must maintain that confidentiality. (19) Research data and primary materials must be maintained securely to prevent unauthorised access, destruction, alteration or removal, accidental or intended damage. (20) Researchers must be aware of any relevant contractual and/or confidentiality agreements and the restrictions on the use of the research data, including but not limited to transfer of data, storage, and access. (21) Ownership of research data and primary materials for researchers and students is determined by the University's Intellectual Property Policy and Copyright Policy. (22) Researchers must be aware that ownership of research data and primary materials may be influenced by funding agreements for projects. (23) Refer to:Research Data Management Policy
Section 1 - Purpose
Scope
Section 2 - Glossary
Top of PageSection 3 - Responsibilities
Top of Page
Section 4 - Data Management
Storage
Retention
Disposal
Section 5 - Access to Research Data
Section 6 - Security of Research Data and Primary Materials
Section 7 - Ownership of Research Data and Primary Materials
Section 8 - Appendices (or Attachments)
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