Advancing technology continues to provide researchers with
better and more efficient tools for collecting and processing data, tools that
accelerate the progress of scientific study. Paper files are rapidly being
replaced with digital data that exist on hard drives instead of in locked file
cabinets. While these new modes of gathering and storing data offer significant
advantages, they are not without their limitations and vulnerabilities. Hackers,
viruses, and other security threats, in addition to hardware or software
failures can cause significant loss to data stores and can violate research
participants’ privacy and confidentiality. UVa requires its researchers to
follow their Data
Protection Standards as outlined by IT Services, but if your background isn’t
IT heavy, it may be difficult to navigate on your own. UVa Library offers Scientific Data Consulting to
help researchers improve their data collection and management techniques. If
you have questions or need ideas, consider contacting their office; not only
will you better protect research participants, you could improve your research
in general. Check out our Data
Collection and Storage section for more information about IRB-SBS policies
and recommendations.
