Responsible Use of Data
The information and details in this section will continue to evolve and change and you should review it whenever you are beginning a new project involving a quantitative research methodology.
Why is this important now?
Before data was wideliy and easily available using the Internet, social science researchers could rely primarily on a mutually responsible work ethic which protected respondents, data producers and researchers alike. Although there have always been procedures and guidelines for the ethical collection and use of data, ease of access via the Internet has resulted in a need to adopt new practices. When data could only be accessed through external media by single users, there were fewer situations in which all aspects of data protection could not be met by exercising common sense and responsible behavior. Now that data access and data use is faster and less cumbersome, the protections thought to be inherent in social science research are no longer as easy to verify. As Internet technology evolves, all players including respondents, data producers, social science data users and data archive managers will need to continually revisit established modes of data access and use.
What steps can researchers take?
This web site provides help on how to demonstrate responsible data use. There are details on what to do to share or deposit your own data collections, and how to apply for grants to collect or use data in research. There are guidelines on what to keep in mind in completing online data use registrations, executing licence agreements, and on what is needed for a data protection plan. There is also information on the use of data for instruction and in courseware. The issues related to data access and data sharing are still evolving and this site will attempt to provide the most up-to-date details.