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Glossary entryData Reuse

Data Reuse

Data reuse, often referred to as secondary use, involves re-examining previously collected and published research datasets with the aim of gaining new insights, potentially from a different or fresh perspective. Preparing research data for reuse requires significantly more effort in terms of anonymizationAccording to the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG § 3, para. 6 in the version valid until May 24, 2018), anonymization is understood to mean all measures for modifying personal data in such a way 'that the individual details about personal or factual circumstances can no longer be assigned to an identified or identifiable natural person, or can only be assigned to an identified or identifiable natural person with a disproportionate investment of time, cost and labor.” Anonymized data is therefore data that does not (or no longer) provide any information about the person concerned. As such, it is not subject to data protection or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Read More, preparation, and documentation than simple archivingArchiving refers to the storage and accessibility of research data and materials. The aim of archiving is to enable long-term access to research data. On one hand, archived research data can be reused by third parties as secondary data for their own research questions. On the other hand, archiving ensures that research processes remain verifiable and transparent. There is also long-term archiving (LTA), which aims to ensure the usability of data over an indefinite period of time. LTA focuses on preserving the authenticity, integrity, accessibility, and comprehensibility of data. Read More for storageData storage generally refers to the process of saving data on a storage medium or device (digitalized data). Research data are unique and valuable, and should be stored securely to protect them from loss and unauthorized access. Various measures, such as regular backup routines, can help minimize potential data loss. Read More purposes.