Your research data must be stored in accordance with

  • the General Data Protection Regulation (read the Health Research Authority’s GDPR guidance for researchers)
  • your IRAS form and/or other regulatory approval documentation
  • the information provided to participants in their Participant Information Sheet and Informed Consent Form. 

You should think about how practical your proposed data storage method is. Consider this before submitting your study for approval. For example, can you password protect folders and/or documents stored electronically?

Patient identifiable data should always be stored separately from sensitive data. (Sensitive data includes study outcomes and assessments documented within Case Report Forms.)

For more advice, contact research@cntw.nhs.uk.