eCraft2Learn – Data Management Plan
1. The Data
During the eCraft2Learn project life the following data collection methods will be used for collecting the described types of data:
- Quantitative data – questionnaires, surveys, activity logs from online participation, trace data from using technical devices (e.g., 3D printers)
- Qualitative data – video/audio recordings of pilot sessions, observation notes, interviews, learning diaries, focus group discussions
- Codes – programming activities source codes during piloting sessions
The data will be collected by authorised researchers and assistants of the eCraft2Learn project.
2. Rights
The data collected belong to the eCraft2Learn project. The University of Eastern Finland manages the collected data on behalf to the project consortium and access is granted to the partners to use the data for research, study and demonstration purposes after proper anonymisation whenever required.
Furthermore, according to the Grant Agreement of the project open access to fully anonymised data used in the production of scientific publication is be granted. In cases when full anonymisation of data is not possible (such as video/audio recordings) the data is be kept protected according to the scheme layout by the EC (see Graph below)[1]. Publishable data is deposited in a research data repository alongside the publication produced in accordance to the Open Access Infrastructure for Research in Europe (OpenAIRE).
3. Confidentiality and data security
Data is be use confidentially by the eCraft2Learn project researchers. All collected data during the eCraft2Learn project is treated with care to prevent potential breaches in privacy. We never store personally identifying information (such as names and addresses), while geographical information we do store will be sufficiently coarse grained to mean that it cannot be used to identify any one individual. Data we do release contains only this coarse grained information.
The quantitative data collected during the project pilots are fully anonymised prior any sort of publication, scientific or otherwise. Qualitative data such as interviews, learning diaries, observation notes, etc. are anonymised prior any sort of publication whereas photos and video/audio recordings from the pilots are only published after obtaining a required publication consent from the participants and only used for the project dissemination activities purposes (e.g., demonstrations in the project website).
The data is stored at the University of Eastern Finland servers in secure folders managed by the project researchers. The folder is shared for research and dissemination purposes with the project consortium partners when needed.
4. File formats and programs
Quantitative data is stored in plain text comma separated value (CSV) matrix. This is a convenient plain text format for storing large amounts of complex data which can easily be read in by different analytical environments. For the analysis of quantitative data plain text format (txt or rtf) it is suitable to store interview transcripts, learning diaries, etc. This also ensures that the data is software-independent and easy to handle with different available software. Video/audio recordings are kept in general container formats such as (e.g., AVI, MOV, WMV, WAV) that can be processed without specialised software.
Data from the project is stored in the University of Eastern Finland servers (HDDs).
5. Documentation on data processing and content
Quantitative data are maintained in the corresponding CSV matrix file and the changes to it are well documented, recording the version control as the file is updated with new entries. Data describing different processes (e.g., online participation logs, surveys results) is stored separately in corresponding files.
Qualitative data are also described and stored according to their type (e.g. transcriptions, audio tapes and photographs) for each pilot session. The naming of the data files is systematic and consistent in order to facilitate data management during the research process.
For the data deemed for open access, the metadata of the repository includes all the description of the file, the version, the project name and funding agency as per requirement of the EC.
6. Life cycle
After the research has been completed, the data created during it will be archived at University of Eastern Finland for further research, re-use and study purposes. The data use for publishing scientific or academic work will be anonymised for archiving and will be kept for a period of 5 years at the University of Eastern Finland servers.
eCraft2Learn Pilots – Ethical research standards
Based on the EC Ethic Self-assessment Guide
- Researchers ensure respect for people and for human dignity, fair distribution of research benefits and burden and protecting the values, rights and interests of the research participants
- Researchers also ensure that the research methodologies do not result in discriminatory practices or unfair treatment.
- Benefits are maximised and harm/risks minimised.
- Researchers ensure that data are kept securely and that publication (including publication on the internet) does not lead (either directly or indirectly) to a breach of agreed confidentiality and anonymity.
Based on the ERIC compendium
- “Researchers are obligated, in accordance with Article 5 of the UNCRC, to provide guidance and direction consistent with the evolving capacities of the child, in the exercise by the child of his or her rights.”
- “Researchers are responsible for ensuring that children are afforded opportunities for decision-making and respect in the exercise of their rights, while being protected in accordance with their age and still evolving capacities.”
On handling video/audio recordings and interviews materials from the pilots all researchers must comply with the following ethical standards.
- 7. It is understood that all collected material will be used in a legitimate manner in the eCraft2Learn project and the researchers handling the data shall strive to not cause any harm or undue embarrassment to the parties involved.
[1] Drafted according to the Finnish Social Science Data Archive guidelines http://www.fsd.uta.fi/aineistonhallinta/en/data-management-planning.html#data-management-plan
[4] Ethical Research Involving Children Compendium available at http://childethics.com/