Strategic Observatory Audit Terms and Conditions
Open access to research data means that by default data can be accessed on equal terms and used with minimal restrictions for academic research and teaching purposes and beyond. Research data constitute primary sources that underpin scientific research and enable derivation of theoretical or applied findings. Data should be prepared for open access in a form which would enable future users to assess and understand them for the purposes of reuse.
In terms of facilitating open access from the beginning of a project, the basic strategy of research data management planning and actual research data construction is to actively start proper research data management planning early to avoid significant problems later in the data creation phase. This includes care for establishing a protocol for data collection, care during collection and creation of data, and finally the preparation of data for analysis. Furthermore, ethical obligations, selection and appraisal of data with long-term value for preservation should be taken into account.
Social Sciences deal primarily with data about individuals and other potentially sensitive or disclosive data. As part of responsible research practice, Researchers are obliged to work in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act, as well as respecting research community codes. Ethical codes recommend to protect participants against possible harm or distress, assuring participation by obtaining informed consent, and respecting disciplinary methodological standards. Any participant in a research project has to agree to participate. Consent could be given in a written or a verbal form. Special attention should be paid to the preparation of the informed consent form and accompanying information sheet when conducting qualitative interviews, creating audio- and video content, or when research involves sensitive subjects and groups e.g. children, medical studies, crime and workplace studies.
Depositing research data with JM SOE2030 is not necessarily a singular activity, but normally involves the mutual exchange of information through negotiation about those details required to fulfil the data acquisition process. JM SOE2030 provides counselling, instructions and tools which make data preparation and deposition processes easier.
Research data creators have to ask themselves about what can be done to assure usability of the data even after the end of the project. Based on information provided and a review of offered materials JM SOE2030 will evaluate and assess if data are suitable for acquisition. Emphasis will be placed on their scientific value as well as the future usability for different purposes and potential users.
The evaluation of fitness for further use is crucial and is also based on the rarity of either data type or topic in the existing catalogue of a data centre. Formal criteria such as formats, appropriate data documentation etc. are obvious preconditions for data re-usage, without which data could be useless for future users. Completeness of data, supporting documentation and provenance, and any recorded changes are important for continuity of digital preservation which is taken over by an archive. In the case of a positive evaluation, JM SOE2030 and the depositor agree on to make necessary provisions for distribution. This includes editing documentation and data in accordance with international standards and preparing the final version of the dataset and the study description. As a final step, the researcher approves that the data and accompanying material is valid before it is published in the catalogue.
1. Restrictions
These data files are available without restrictions, provided:
a) that they are used for non-profit purposes;
b) the data files themselves are not redistributed;
c) the collected data will be sent to JM SOE2030, in order to be published on the Online Platform provided by M SOE2030.
d) correct citations are provided and sent to the JM SOE2030 for each publication of results based in part or entirely on these data files. This citation will be made freely available;
2. Correct citation
3. Disclaimer
These data files are available AS IS.
4. Limitation of Liability
Under no circumstances and under no legal theory, tort, contract, or otherwise, shall the producers of these data files be liable to you or any other person for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages of any character including, without limitation, damages for loss of goodwill, work stoppage, computer failure or malfunction, or any all other commercial damages or losses.
In no event will the producers of these data files be liable for any damages, even if the producers of these data files shall have been informed of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party. This limitation of liability shall not apply to liability for death of personal injury to the extent applicable law prohibits such limitation. Furthermore, some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation and exclusion may not apply to you.
Here is available the Consent Form for Strategic Observatory for EU Data Collection