Retention of Research Data

Some professional societies and associations require that research data be retained for a certain period of time. Additionally, data may need to be retained for situations such as validating data or subsequent proof of data. Also, many investigators want the option to do further analysis of their data.

If all identifiers are removed, then data can be retained indefinitely with minimal to no risk to subjects. Data should still be kept in a secure location until destroyed.

If identifiable research data are to be retained, subjects need to be informed of this retention, how the data will be used, how the data will be secured (should be a locked file or cabinet), who will have access to the data and why, and the ultimate fate of the data. The protocol will need to include a justification for retaining identifiable data and the details for securing the data.

For all data, the level of protection of the subject’s privacy should increase as the risk of harm from loss of confidentiality increases.