The UK Research Information Network (RIN) has produced a framework of key principles and guidelines on the stewardship of digital research data for research institutions, libraries, publishers, societies and funders, produced after more than a year of wide consultation among these groups. The summary of the framework is available as a two-page PDF, and the full report as a 16-page document (PDF).

The framework is not only addressing the basic issue of the preservation of research data because it is essential to evaluate and re-assess results, but is identifying new approaches to managing and providing access to the data in an era of digitization, new technologies, aggregation and “adding value” to data by re-use.

The framework document identifies five key principles, in abbreviated form:

1. The roles and responsibilities of researchers, research institutions and funders should be defined and have codes of practice to ensure that creators and users of research data are aware of and fulfil their responsibilities.

2. Digital research data should be created and collected in accordance with international standards.

3. Digital research data should be easy to find, and access should be provided in an environment which maximises ease of use, and which provides credit for and protects the rights of those who have gathered or created data, and/or who have legitimate interests in how data are made accessible and used.

4. Models and mechanisms for managing and providing access to digital research data must be both efficient and cost-effective.

5. Digital research data of long-term value arising from current and future research should be preserved and remain accessible for current and future generations.

The full details are available at the RIN website.