Policy

The University of Innsbruck recognises the fundamental importance of research data and its management for high-quality research and academic integrity. In this context, the Rectorate of the University of Innsbruck has adopted a policy on research data management, which has been published in the Mitteilungsblatt dated 6 April 2022.

University of Innsbruck Policy

The University of Innsbruck regards accurate and easily accessible research data as a fundamental and integral part of research work. As such data is essential for the verification of research processes and results, research data that has been appropriately secured and processed has lasting value for research and teaching. Furthermore, there is potential for their use by society.

Responsibility for research data management during and after the research activity lies with the University of Innsbruck and the individual researchers. The approach must be in line with recognised national and international codes of conduct for responsible research. The responsibilities of the University of Innsbruck and those of its researchers are set out below.

Responsibilities of the University of Innsbruck

• Provision of funds and resources for the operation and maintenance of support services and infrastructure for research data management, in accordance with financial capabilities;
• Designing and providing processes and services for the secure collection, storage and archiving of research data, as well as implementing quality assurance processes to support current and future access to research data both during and after the completion of research projects;
• Promoting best scientific practice through relevant training and further education programmes, as well as supporting researchers throughout the process (e.g. assistance with the preparation of data management plans), in particular with regard to compliance with all organisational, legal, institutional and other contractual and statutory requirements relating to the handling of research data within the University of Innsbruck and in dealings with third parties.

Responsibilities of researchers

• Managing research data in accordance with the principles and requirements set out in this Policy; in the context of collaborative research projects, this also includes defining responsibilities;
• collection, documentation, storage, archiving, provision and destruction of research data and the associated records; in particular, it is the responsibility of researchers to decide on the relevance of the research data and thus on its deposit in a repository;
• The creation and updating of data management plans (DMPs), in which the procedures relating to the collection, management, integrity, confidentiality, retention, (re)use and publication of research data are explicitly set out;
• Compliance with all organisational, legal, institutional and other contractual and statutory requirements relating to the handling of research data within the University of Innsbruck and in dealings with third parties.