Data Retention Rules Create Research Hurdles
Conflicting rules for safeguarding biomedical research data pose significant challenges for scientists, potentially impacting the integrity and reproducibility of crucial studies.
Disparate Standards Emerge
Experts **Carolyn Lye**, **Minal Caron**, and **Mark Barnes** have highlighted the inconsistencies in data retention mandates. These variations stem from differing requirements set by federal agencies, funding bodies, and academic institutions, alongside legal and contractual obligations.
Impact on Research Ecosystem
The authors, including **Barbara Bierer** from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and attorney **Lauren Walsh** of Mass General Brigham, emphasize how these varied standards affect research professionalism, data sharing initiatives, intellectual property, and overall research integrity.
Call for Clarity and Streamlining
Their analysis, published in Accountability in Research, offers actionable recommendations. These proposals aim to simplify and clarify data retention policies for both research institutions and governing federal bodies.
Data Integrity Concerns
The issue of data retention is critical. For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mandates that data supporting published research be retained for at least three years after the publication date, a standard that may clash with other institutional policies.
Ensuring Trustworthy Science
A clearer, more unified approach to data retention is essential to uphold public trust in scientific findings and facilitate robust collaboration across the research community.
