Archiving Policy

1. Introduction

This policy outlines the procedures for archiving research studies conducted in the field of business. The primary objectives are to:

  • Preserve research findings: Ensure the long-term accessibility and integrity of valuable business research data for future reference and analysis.
  • Promote knowledge sharing: Facilitate the dissemination of research findings to the broader academic and business communities.
  • Comply with ethical and legal requirements: Adhere to any specific archiving mandates associated with funding agencies, research collaborations, or institutional regulations.

2. Archiving Responsibilities

  • Researchers:
    • Are responsible for archiving all research materials, including:
      • Original data (surveys, interview transcripts, etc.)
      • Data analysis files (spreadsheets, statistical software output, etc.)
      • Research instruments (questionnaires, interview protocols, etc.)
      • Final reports, manuscripts, and publications.
  • Archiving Body:
    • (Designated department/library/repository)
      • Provides secure and reliable storage solutions for research materials.
      • Ensures proper data formatting and metadata creation for discoverability.
      • Implements procedures for long-term preservation and access.

3. Archiving Procedures

  • Data Submission: Researchers are required to submit all research materials to the designated archiving body within [specified timeframe] after project completion.
  • Data Formatting:
    • Archiving will prioritize well-documented data using industry-standard file formats (e.g., PDF, CSV).
    • Software-specific files should be accompanied by detailed descriptions for future use.
  • Metadata Creation:
    • Comprehensive metadata will be created for each archived dataset, including:
      • Title, Author(s), Affiliation, Keywords, Abstract
      • Research methodology, Data collection methods, Data analysis details
  • Storage and Access:
    • Archived materials will be securely stored in a repository with restricted access.
    • Access procedures will be established, considering:
      • Ethical considerations (participant confidentiality)
      • Data sensitivity
      • Copyright restrictions

4. Open Access

  • The policy will encourage open access to archived research findings whenever possible.
  • This may involve:
    • Depositing publications in open access repositories.
    • Sharing anonymized data upon request, subject to ethical and legal considerations.

5. Review and Revision

  • This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect best practices and technological advancements in data archiving.