Research records
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Retention periods for research data and records
Research data is always supported by other records, such as those documenting ethics committee processes, intellectual property rights, and research project administration and reporting.
The minimum legal retention periods for research data and records are defined in GA28 and FA462. Please refer below for further information on destroying research data and records.
Responsibilities for researchers
The UNSW Code of Conduct and Values (R9) and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (R22) require that researchers retain, "clear, accurate, secure and complete records of all research including research data and primary materials."
Determining when to dispose of research records
There is a significant cost to the University in storing records for periods longer than those for which it is legally obliged to retain the records. Records should therefore, be destroyed once their retention period has expired and they are no longer required for their original purpose.
Records which are required for known, or reasonably anticipated, litigation, inquiries or investigations, or records that may be relevant to allegations of research misconduct must not be destroyed or otherwise disposed of until the litigation or investigation has been concluded. They should not be retained 'just in case' litigation or inquiries may arise at some time in the future
View Destroying Records for further information on the processes at UNSW.
For assistance with managing research data at UNSW, please contact the Research Data Management team.
Have a question?
Contact the Records Team on 02 9385 2861 or email records@unsw.edu.au / Contact the Archives Team on 02 9385 2906 or email archives@unsw.edu.au