Sum: Subject: Re: Human Subjects and Maintaince of Audi

[Lynn Santelmann]

Thank you to all who replied so quickly to my query concerning my
human subjects committee's question about "destroying" records,
especially thanks to those who have recently served on human subjects
review committees and so could explain where this request comes from.

It seems that this question about destroying data comes from one of
the U.S. federal agency questionaires (NIH?). I probably over-reacted
to the question -- it wasn't given as a requirement that data be
destroyed, simply as a suggestion or even question about whether it
would be.

All of the respondents were of the opinion that it is not necessary
to agree to destroy the data. A fair number of replies pointed out
the value of maintaining data archivally so that it can be used for
scientific verfication.

In terms how to respond, a number of people suggested that I simply
say that I plan to keep these data for archival purposes (or
variations on this theme, e.g., after coding and ALL analysis or
"until the materials are no longer deemed necessary for research")

Most people who had served on human subjects committees said that if
the information about archiving and the potential use of tapes for
future studies is included in the informed consent, then there should
be no issue with keeping the data indefinitely. These are definitely
good ideas and something that I had omitted in my original consent form.

I have spoken with my administrators about this, and it appears that
simply defending the need to archive data and making it explicit in
the consent form will suffice.

One final note: Jeff Allen pointed out to me that it pays to be
cautious when detailing HOW data will be securely stored. If you
state that it is going to be stored in a locked cabinet in your
office, then technically, this prevents you from making back-ups and
storing them at home in case of fire. Saying that the tapes will be
stored in "a secure location" is probably better.

Thanks to:

Jeff Allen
Terry Au
Angeline Lillard
Brian MacWhinney
Liz Bates
Margot Kinberg
Lynne Hewitt
Amy L Sheldon
Margaret Friend
John Limber
C. Melanie Schuele
(apologies to anyone I missed)


Best,
Lynn Santelmann
________________________________________________________
Lynn Santelmann, Assistant Professor
Department of Applied Linguistics
Portland State University
P.O. Box 751
Portland, OR 92707-0751
Phone: (503) 725-4140
Fax: (503) 725-4139
E-mail: santelmannl at pdx.edu
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