Different access options are available for data reuse, depending on the nature of the data (sensitive, personal, etc.):

1. Open Access
   Data can either be downloaded and used directly and free of charge, or accessed and used after registration and agreement to the terms of use.
   
2. Access by Request
   If the desired data are not openly and freely available for digital reuse (as is often the case with sensitiveWithin the category of personal data, there is a subset known as special categories of personal data. Their definition originates from Article 9(1) of the EU GDPR (2016), which states that these include information about the data subject’s: Read More and personal dataPersonal data includes: 'any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (data subject); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person(…)” (EU GDPR Article 4 No. 1, 2016; BDSG §46 para. 1, 2018; BlnDSG §31, 2020). Read More), a data use agreement must be requested and signed with the respective archive, repositoryA repository is a storage location for academic documents. In online repositories, publications are digitally stored, managed, and assigned persistent identifiers. Cataloging facilitates the search and use of publications and author information. In most cases, documents in online repositories are openly and freely accessible (Open Access). Read More, or research data center. This agreement becomes legally binding upon signing, meaning the specified licensesIn a license agreement or through an open license, copyright holders specify how and under what conditions their copyrighted work may be used and/or exploited by third parties. Read More and usage conditions must be strictly observed, particularly regarding the attribution and citation of data providers. Usually, data access is limited to academic use in research and/or teaching, and proof of institutional affiliation is required.
   
3. Secure Access
   Sensitive and personal data (i.e., data that cannot be sufficiently anonymized) can only be reused under strict security measures to protect the individuals involved. The secure organization and provision of this data are managed by the respective research data center: On-site usage allows data reuse in (digital) safe rooms or designated guest workspaces, secured with multiple passwords and various access and output controls. In physical secure rooms, devices such as mobile phones, laptops, or USB drives are allowed. The data are accessed via an internal computer with an intranet connection, eliminating the need for physical or digital data transfer. Fees may apply for such usage (DGfE, 2020, p. 15).

In the „Tools“ section, repositories and research data centers (online databases) are listed where data can be downloaded or their usage can be requested online.

For example, Qualiservice offers the following usage conditions: a temporary embargo (i.e., a restriction period) or the exclusion of certain usage purposes, such as the use of materials in teaching. Particularly sensitive data may only be viewed on-site in Bremen.

Evidence in Data Affairs

Data reuse