Policy on the Management of Research Data and Records
This is a record of the policy as adopted by the University of Melbourne. Given the thoughtfulness of Australia on these issues, this might be useful for policy-makers to consider in the process of developing practice in the UK.
This policy shows a commitment to the retention of complete, accurate and retrievable results as integral to the research process. Good research practice as the University sees it entails the retention of research data and records for periods of at least five years after the publication of results (or longer depending on regulatory or sponsor requirements and archival/historical value). This allows for the discussion of data and research methods with colleagues and for verification of the research such as might be required to refute allegations of falsification of data. The purpose of this Policy is to assist departments and individual researchers to fulfill their responsibilities with respect to the storage and retention of data and records associated with, and arising from, their research activities.
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Publication: University of Melbourne, Australia, 2007.