Data and records
The Management of Research Data and Records Policy is currently being reviewed. For more information please click here
The University of Melbourne Code of Conduct for Research contains specific provisions concerning data collection and management. The guiding principles are that research methods and results should be open to scrutiny; research units and departments must establish formally documented procedures for data retention; and researchers must comply with these retention procedures.
The University Policy on the Management of Research Data and Records defines specific requirements for storing, managing and disposing of research data, designed to assist departments and individual researchers to fulfill their responsibilities in this area. According to that policy, research data and records must be:
- Accurate, complete, authentic and reliable and in sufficient detail to enable verification of research results
- Identifiable, retrievable and available when needed
- Kept in the department or unit where the research was conducted
- Stored securely, for example in locked filing cabinets or a locked room with controlled access. When data and records are stored electronically, precautions should be taken to control access, including password access and ?locked' datafiles.
- Maintained for as long as they are of continuing value to the researcher and in compliance with record keeping requirements (such as patents, legislation, and regulations). The minimum retention period at the University is five years after publication, or public release, although funding bodies may also have specific requirements. The destruction of research data and records should be authorised by the Head of Department on recommendation of the researcher. A record of the recommendation and approval should be maintained in the departmental register.