DATA SHARING
Data sharing is an essential component of the scientific process. It allows for replication of studies by other investigators, the ability to test a different hypothesis, or combine data from multiple data sets for new insights and research studies. Data sharing under the appropriate Mass General Brigham auspices (i.e., under a collaboration/ data sharing agreement) also provides a means for postdoctoral fellows to continue working on their projects to complete data analysis and finish a paper after they have left a Mass General Brigham institution. Whatever the data sharing scenario, the principle of “minimum necessary” should be applied and only the data necessary to conduct business (e.g., conduct/complete data analysis) should be stored, processed, or shared.
Research data generated within a Mass General Brigham institution or on behalf of a Mass General Brigham institution are owned by that institution and subject to institutional data sharing and retention policies. These policies apply to domestic and international situations. Original data may not be transferred from the Mass General Brigham institution; only copies of the data may be shared.
To facilitate Mass General Brigham data sharing, we have prepared a guidance document and compiled a list of tools and services for individuals. The guidance document provides information on agreement requirements and tools available for “Persons of Interest,” non-employees who have been approved for Mass General Brigham system sign-on access and privileges, and for individuals who are not Mass General Brigham employees and do not have system privileges. Data sharing with departing postdoctoral fellows typically fall into this latter category.
OFF-BOARDING/PERMANENTLY LEAVING MGB
Departing researchers are required to follow the longstanding procedures contained within institutional “transfer-out” handbooks/guidance, and should work with their PI and department’s grant administrator to meet these requirements.
Focusing on data, before leaving a Mass General Brigham institution, the departing researcher must secure the approval of their PI or Chief to obtain copies of research data, in addition to executing a Data Use Agreement (DUA), for human subjects data, or Data Access Agreement (DAA), for non-human subjects data. Responsibility for preparing institutional DUAs and DAAs (data sharing with a non-Mass General Brigham hospital or university) resides with different Mass General Brigham Research Contracting Offices, while responsibility for preparing individual DUAs and DAAs for departing postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists without an institutional affiliation post-Mass General Brigham resides with the hospital Research Compliance Offices. Before initiating a request, PIs should review the DUA/DAA Decision Tree to identify the office responsible for generating an agreement.
CONTACTS
MGH: Kele Piper
BWH: Kelly Barrett
McLean: Kim Roselando
Spaulding: Monica Baggio Tormey
MGH IHP: Nara Gavini
MEEI: Maureen Dwyer PhD