Follow the University’s recommendations
Since 2021, Umeå University has had a policy for research data management that recommends that research data comply with the FAIR principles. Research data are to be made accessible according to the principle, “as open as possible, as closed as necessary.”
Umeå University’s Research Data Policy
The FAIR principles
Many funding bodies require that research data comply with the FAIR principles, which Umeå University also supports. The FAIR principles are also recommended at the EU level. The purpose of the FAIR principles is to facilitate the reuse of research data, even in the long term.
Research data that fulfils the FAIR principles are to be:
- findable;
- accessible;
- interoperable between systems; and
- reusable.
Read more about the FAIR principles on Researchdata.se
Complying with the FAIR principles
Central to complying with FAIR data is making available descriptions of data (metadata) so that they are searchable and machine-readable. The description should be linked to stored data with a unique identifier (for example, DOI). Even in cases where data are not freely available, the requirements for gaining access are to be clear.
The CARE Principles: research data linked to Indigenous peoples
The CARE Principles complement the FAIR principles and are an important framework for addressing ethical aspects of open science and access to research data, particularly with regard to Indigenous peoples. If you are conducting research on or with Indigenous peoples or research in areas linked to Indigenous peoples (such as Sápmí), you need to consider the CARE principles in your data management. Research data on Indigenous peoples can be data relating to individuals and groups, but also data about the areas in which Indigenous peoples live, for example geological data or traditional knowledge.
The CARE Principles were developed by the Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA) together with the Research Data Alliance (RDA). CARE is intended to improve the ability of Indigenous peoples to monitor and provide input on data and access research results.
Collective rights in relation to open data
The CARE Principles describe collective rights related to open data in the context of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and data sovereignty:
- Collective benefit: Research involving Indigenous peoples or their data should benefit the communities from which the data comes. This means that research results are to be used to strengthen the rights, health, culture and self-determination of Indigenous peoples.
- Authority to control: Indigenous people have the right to control how their data are collected, used, stored and shared. This includes both data collected directly from Indigenous peoples and data that affect them indirectly.
- Responsibility: Researchers have a responsibility to act in a way that respects the values, norms and needs of Indigenous peoples. This means that the research process is to be transparent, inclusive and ethically defensible.
- Ethics: Ethical consideration is to be integral to the entire research process. This is not just about following formal rules but also about showing respect for the knowledge systems, history and cultural integrity of Indigenous peoples.
Read more in the feature “CARE: Indigenous rights and open data”
What you need to be aware of
When collecting data about Indigenous peoples, you need to plan how to manage and describe research data with consideration for the rights of and opportunities for influence by Indigenous peoples. This could involve including representatives of Indigenous groups in the planning of the research project and throughout the research process or providing feedback on research results.
Laws that limit opportunities for applying CARE
Swedish legislation currently places restrictions on Umeå University’s ability to apply parts of the CARE Principles. The principle of public access to official information means that collected data are official documents at Umeå University and must be managed in accordance with legal requirements. For example, it is not possible to incorporate any assessments or wishes other than those stated in law when releasing official documents.
Indigenous representatives can be advisory in the planning and implementation of a research project, but not decision-making regarding the retention and disposal of data on Indigenous peoples.
Check what your funding body requires
Many funding bodies in Sweden currently require that research results from funded projects be made openly available. Other guidelines can include drawing up a data management plan. If you have EU funding, there may be specific requirements, such as on how you share data after the project.
Drawing up a data management plan
Manage data in accordance with legislation
Research data are considered official documents and must be archived according to law. Some research data have a higher need for protection because of personal data, security protection or classification as secret. Make sure to manage research data with high protection value correctly.
About research data
The data you collect are official documents and can be requested by third-parties.
Research data with high protection value
Some data have a higher need for protection as they relate to personal data, for example.
Archiving and preserving data
Research data are public documents requiring archival at the University.
Do you have questions about research data?
The University has a cross-functional team that supports you with research data issues in areas such as archiving, legal affairs, IT support, open data, and information security. You can contact the research data support team using the following form:
Contact the research data support team if you have questions
