Legislation and ethics

The university’s liability

As the principal research party, Karlstad University has the overall responsibility for ensuring that research data is trustworthy, managed legally and securely, and that good research practice is followed. All documentation generated or collected as part of research done at Karlstad University belongs to the university and is regarded as official university documents. If a researcher moves to another higher education institution, research documents should generally remain at Karlstad University.

Researchers’ liability

Researchers are responsible for ensuring that a research agreement is drawn up at the earliest possible stage and before a research project commences. Agreements must stipulate the principal research party/ies, ownership of the research results, publication procedures, as well as any usage rights or any legal restrictions on the use of the research material.

Other legal issues that must be considered early on and then regulated in writing include the processing of personal data, the storage and destruction of research materials, any confidentiality clauses (commonly used when external partners are foreign or private businesses) and whether these correspond to Swedish public access to information principles. Liability limitations, ethical issues and regulations on data security and protection must also be considered.

If sensitive personal data will be processed, the project must be reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee before it can commence.

Further information