Sound Data Management Training

h2. Freedom Of Information

The "Freedom Of Information Act":http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/contents (FoI) gives people the right to request data held by public bodies. It does not matter where the data originated, only who holds it. Copyright relating to information supplied under FoI requests remains unchanged - and provides you with protection from other people (mis)using your data.

The Freedom of Information Act states that research data:

* can be held indefinitely;

* is not subject to FoI requests unless individuals are identified in published research;

* can be used for other research uses;

* and may be exempt from FoI requests on grounds of (imminent) future publication or commercial interest.

Note that this means that if a researcher from another institution published research identifying individuals and you use their data, then individuals will have the right to request the data from QMUL.

Additionally, if data will be published through the college's normal publication scheme, then there is no onus on the college to provide the data under FoI requests - publishing data removes any additional requirements for FoI.

Further information:

* QMUL information on "Freedom of Information":http://www.qmul.ac.uk/about/collegeinfo/foi/index.html

* QMUL slides for a presentation on "Data Protection, Freedom of Information and Research":http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/information_governance/dp/dpa_foi_and_research.ppt

* JISC information on "freedom of information and research data":http://www.jisc.ac.uk/foiresearchdata

The Act:

* "Freedom Of Information Act 2000":http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/contents