Regulatory framework for research data

Uppsala University is usually the principal manager of research data produced at the university and is responsible for ensuring that data and related documentation are handled in accordance with the legal framework governing the activities of the university as a public agency.

Of particular importance for research data are the legal framework and regulations concerning:

Good management of research data is fundamental to scientific quality, integrity of research and good research practices. There are a number of laws, recommendations and ethical guidelines that regulate and impose requirements on research and the management of research data. CODEX – rules and guidelines for research provides a good overview.

For research projects carried out in cooperation with other universities and other external parties, it is important that agreements regulating legal aspects of cooperation, ownership and responsibility regarding research data are established, and that the necessary permits are in place, see Planning the management of data. Also bear in mind that external funders may have requirements on how data should be handled.

Documentation of data

In order for the university to meet regulatory requirements and ensure that research documents are available and preserved, as well as for colleagues and external stakeholders to understand, follow and review the research carried out, data and other elements of a project needs to be documented.

Documentation of research data can include how data has been generated and also describe samples, methods, processes, source code and other tools that data relies on. Well-described data will help to verify and defend used methodology and results of research. Good documentation is also important in order to comply with the so-called FAIR principles, which aim to make data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable.

Good routines for documenting methods, data and results will enable:

good conditions for traceability, reproducibility and validation of results
good research practice and the ability to defend your work in the case of allegations of misconduct in research
continuity when staff in a project leave or join
clarity in collaborations and avoiding risk of unnecessary duplication of work
opportunities to claim intellectual property rights and apply for patents
good quality of data that is to be shared, published and reused
ability to meet the legal requirements that regulate research activities.