Data Trustees – They Do Work! The Example of Research Data Centers

Abstract

This contribution presents the long established system of accredited Research Data Centers (RDCs). Created in the data-landscape of the social, behavioral, educational, and economic sciences, they enable access to restricted data and bridge interests of data providers and researchers. A distinctive feature of most research data in the above disciplines is the coverage of real persons. Such sensitive data require specific safeguards. The focus of this contribution is on the institutionalized processes of connecting and securing appropriate research data management strategies for this sort of data. It includes quality assurance measures through the accreditation of RDCs, a monitoring system and the regular cooperation of accredited RDCs.