Guidance on use of data collected routinely during teaching and assessment for research
With the increasing use of virtual teaching environments and e-learning there is the potential to access data around a student’s interaction with these resources. Linking such data to other metrics, for example performance on assessments or class attendance, could give insights into the optimal methods to deliver teaching. Personal data relating to learning and assessment is considered to come under the auspices of the Data Protection Act. Under Section 33 of the Act (Exemption for Research) use of these data is allowed for research purposes if it will not be used to support decisions about individual students, and where the results of research will make a positive contribution to knowledge. The ability to link datasets that span various areas offers a further level of complexity, so we offer some best practice guidance around ethical use of these data. We recognise that the landscape is evolving and will continue to monitor the use of virtual learning environment (VLE) data for research purposes and changes to data legislation.
For the purposes of ethical approval to use VLE and associated data we recognise two potential scenarios:
- Projects using prospectively collected data (where a specific research question is posed and systems put in place to capture relevant data from current students).
Research may be carried out on student data collected routinely as part of teaching and assessment, but individual consent must typically be obtained from students (at course or programme level as appropriate) before their data may be used. This should be informed consent whereby researchers are obliged to inform students that their Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) system usage, attendance and performance data may be linked for use in unspecified research projects. Thus, this consent may enable student data to be used in a specific project or a larger generic project at programme level. Mechanisms must be in place to exclude data from students who opt out of participation. Ethical approval for such projects should be sought from the relevant College Ethics Committee.
- Research using retrospective analysis of routinely collected data
Analysis of historically collected teaching and assessment data for research may be possible without student consent, if the data concerned are appropriately fully anonymised. Data standards and methods to achieve them would be the responsibility of each School via the appointment of a data custodian. In these circumstances, advice should be sought from the UoG Data Protection Team to ensure that researchers are meeting their responsibilities under the Act and the terms of exemption. Research carried out in this way would be considered use of secondary data and therefore would not normally require review by an ethics committee. However, we encourage you to seek advice on a case-by-case basis from the relevant College Ethics Committee before using retrospective student data for research.
Helpful links:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/dpfoioffice/
http://www.scot-ship.ac.uk/training-and-events.html
https://www.mrc.ac.uk/publications/browse/good-research-practice-principles-and-guidelines/
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/29/contents