Sensitive Data Projects#
Prerequisites#
Prerequisite |
Importance |
Skill Level |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Helpful |
Beginner |
Summary#
As researchers, we need to learn how to work with sensitive data so that we can tackle many challenging research questions. It can often be harder to work with sensitive data due to the regulations and restrictions that are required. Abiding by these legal requirements can come with added technical steps such as de-identification of the data or the use of trusted research environments.
There are considerations that need to be taken as to how to work in an inner source[def] manner, which builds a closed but transparent research record enabling reproducible research. In addition, researchers must also plan how to publish sensitive data projects in a FAIR but as open as possible way.
In this chapter, we give an overview of different types of sensitive data. We then go on, in the next two chapters, to describe tools and practices that can help you manage, as well as, work reproducibly in these types of research projects.
In this chapter we will cover:
Motivation#
Researchers who are part of sensitive data projects may think that the nature of their data prohibits them from working in an open and reproducible manner. We want to show that - while it may require a bit of extra thinking and management - working openly with sensitive data, is possible, and should be encouraged.