Given the sensitivity of this data, guidelines have been established to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the respondents who have volunteered information to the data sets. To minimize risks of disclosure all research projects will be reviewed at the proposal stage and prior to data release.
It’s important to note that because of these security concerns all on-site work at the FNDC is governed by a specific set of rules and restrictions, of which are outlined carefully in the contracts signed between you and FNIGC. Should these rules, restrictions or terms of this contract be violated the FNDC has the power to terminate contracts and require researchers to destroy any unpublished copies of proposed outputs — or initiate legal actions requiring them to do so.
For these reasons, it’s important that you and your research team familiarize yourself with the details of your contract and the contents of the policies and procedures guide On-Site Policies and Procedures Guide (for those accessing the on-site Data Centre). Once signed, the contract is a legally binding agreement between your research team and FNIGC that allows you access to protected data. If your research deviates from your proposal, requires additional data, or anything else changes within the procedures you must discuss the changes with the FNDC Coordinator and submit an amendment.
Should the research team change at any time, you must also notify your FNDC Coordinator. All new researchers must sign a confidentiality and acknowledgement of policies and procedures agreement.