This is a good question. I have just done some research on this and most institutions have formal policies which set forth ownership of data.
In general, all data is owned by the institution (since the work was done by employees of the institution). When a PI leaves, he or she must come to an agreement with the lab director or department chair for permission to take copies of the data or results to PI's next position. In nearly all cases, the originals must stay at the institution where the data was produced.
The only case when the originals can be removed is when the data or records are a part of an ongoing grant (transfer of an NIH or other grant), and approval is required to remove the originals. A "TRUE" copy of the data/records must remain at the institution.
In the case of records which contain patient data, additional consent questions arise.
Alex Schoen
-----------------------------------------
Alexander Schoen
Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Winthrop-University Hospital
222 Station Plaza North, Suite 510
Mineola, NY 11501
Phone: (516) 663-8997
Fax: (516) 663-9718
xxxxxx@winthrop.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Owen [mailto:xxxxxx@SPARTAN.AC.BROCKU.CA]
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 9:49 AM
To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG
Subject: [RESADM-L] Ownership of Data
A question has arisen here with regard to who owns (and controls)
data and/or laboratory note books. Some of the data relates to social
and behavioural science research (e.g., large scale surveys,
questionnaires with external organizations such as schools and
industry, etc.)
Do other institutions have formal policies on ownership of data,
access to data by faculty and students other than PI, and when/if
data might be made available to third parties (subject to terms of
use in any consents)?
If individuals wish to respond directly to me, I will ollate
responses and post on the listserv.
Thank you,
--
Michael Owen, Ph.D., Director, Office of Research Services
& Interim Director, Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI)
Brock University
500 Glenridge Avenue
St Catharines, ON L2S 3A1
Office of Research Services:
Tel: 905-688-5550, Ext 3127
Fax: 905-688-0748
CCOVI:
Tel: 905-688-5550, Ext 4716
Fax: 905-688-3104
Cell: 905-687-2383
email: xxxxxx@brocku.ca
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