I've been following some of the messages in response to Chuck
Chermside's question about data ownership.  Although several years
ago, I was a proponent of universities' stating a policy on
ownership, in recent times, I have altered my opinion.

Ownership of research data should not be the over-riding factor.
Instead it is a matter of "control," i.e., who is responsible for
retention, who has access, what happens when a faculty leaves the
university, etc.  Currently, I am trying to finish a chapter on this
topic; my workshop on Ownership and Retention of Data is being
offered again this year at NCURA Annual meeting; and the workshop is
among several offered to regions for their meetings.

I, for one, am very pleased to see that universities are finally
realizing that they need policies on this important area; some do,
but usually the issue is addressed by universities in their Guidelines
for Responsible Conduct of Research.  The issue about what happens
when a faculy leaves the university has not been well thought out.
Statements like " if a faculy leaves the university, he/she can take
copies of the data."  This is not sufficient as their are many
examples of original data that cannot be readily reproduced and yet
the faculty will need to remove the non-reproducible data for
continued research.  Universities need to think in terms of a
transfer agreement for relocating such data (subject to terms and
conditions, e.g., how long data must be retained, not only at present
but new institution).

COGR Board has included this topic as one of three that a "white
paper" will be prepared on during the next year.  So stay tuned!

Please call me if you need additional information.  Ann Stevens,
Emory University, 404 727-2503.

xxxxxx@osp.emory.edu

Ann R. Stevens,Ph.D.
Phone 404-727-2503
Fax 404-727-2509
xxxxxx@OSP.EMORY.EDU
Emory University