Approved Technologies for Research (Public)

Owned by Amanda Griffith
Last updated: Jan 27, 2023 by Cassandra Rinker
2 min read

Information Technology Services, Health Sciences Center Information Technology Services, the Research Office have collaborated to compile guidance to researchers for the approved technologies they should use to collect, transmit, share, and store data for research projects. The appropriate technology to use for a project is dependent on the classification of the data you will be using.

Click on one of the following data classifications to see the approved technologies that can be used for the type of activities you will be undertaking for your research project. Review the Risk Categories on the Data Protection Certification webpage for assistance determining your data classification.

Important definitions to know when reviewing the approved technologies lists:

  • Data Collection: A researcher is in direct contact with a research participant for data collection.

    • Identifiable Data Collection: A researcher can trace responses to a participant

    • Anonymous Data Collection: A researcher may know the identity of participants but cannot trace responses to a participant.

  • Data Sharing: A researcher is sharing research data externally or internally and everyone who has access is accessing the same information stored in the same location.

  • Data Transmission: A researcher is sending or receiving a copy of information externally or internally. There are two copies of the data. If one party edits the data, the other party does not see the changes.

  • Data Storage: A researcher is storing electronic data associated with a research project. Paper copies of research data should be stored in a locked filing cabinet within a secure room with managed access.

It is important to understand the following:

  • Additional data protections may apply to a research project because of language within contracts and agreements that supersede the information provided here. Even if you are using what would normally be considered Low-Risk Data, additional contractual restrictions may still apply (e.g., WVU Medicine medical/dental records, WV PEIA data, WV Medicaid / Medicare data) to your project. If your research project is subject to contractual data protections, WVU ITS/HSC ITS and the Research Office will work with you to ensure that you are using secure applications to protect your data appropriately.

  • Clinical staff that have access to WVU medical/dental records and other data repositories as part of employment do not have permission to use the information for research unless approved via the Research Data Protections process.