Retention of research data
Research data is subject to a specific and limited exemption from the requirements of data protection legislation.
Unlike other processing of personal data, personal data for research use may, in some circumstances, be retained indefinitely.
Researchers must determine the retention requirements for their research data and records on a project-by-project basis, or at least for clearly defined categories of projects, taking into account:
- The legal and regulatory framework for particular types of research.
- The terms and conditions imposed by external research sponsors.
- The commercial, political, or ethical sensitivity of particular types of research or any research for particular external sponsors.
The Research and Innovation Office's publication Good Practice in Research, available as part of the Research Integrity Framework, provides recommendations on documenting results and storing primary data based on the requirements of several research councils.
The Research Data Management team is responsible for the storage and maintenance of research data.
- Find out more information about this service on the Research Data Management website
Please note: the term research is not precisely defined in data protection legislation, but it includes historical and statistical studies. The rules concerning research on personal data are covered in our guidance about research and the research checklist.