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Use of NCAC Data for Research Purposes Policy

Preamble

The National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) stores extensive information about child care services across Australia that participate in the Child Care Quality Assurance (CCQA) systems. This information is a potentially valuable resource for research relating to child care and the participation of services in CCQA.

The NCAC Strategic Plan 2009 – 2010 seeks to establish NCAC as the recognised leader in quality assurance in child care in Australia.  A key priority is to identify research priorities and engage in strategic opportunities.

If approached to contribute data to research projects, NCAC will consider doing so at NCAC’s discretion, on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with this policy.

Scope

This policy covers the use of any data contained in the NCAC database that may be used for research.

The policy applies to research undertaken by individuals or bodies external to NCAC.

General Principles for Eligibility of Research

Before agreeing to the use of NCAC data, NCAC will need to be assured that the proposed research

• Is concerned with a significant questions(s)
• will extend existing knowledge and understanding
• Is ethical, credible and valuable
• Is transparent and objective
• Uses appropriate methods
• Is reported clearly, completely and accurately
• Is subject to an independent review process

Specific NCAC Decision Criteria

The following criteria will apply to the use of NCAC data for research projects:

• NCAC will only contribute data to research that is consistent with NCAC’s strategic priorities and supports NCAC’s Guiding Principle, Vision and Mission:
  • Guiding Principle:
    Putting Children First
    
  • Vision:
    Quality experiences and positive outcomes for all children
    
  • Mission:
    To set standards to improve the quality of child care and accredit services that meet the standards
    
    
• NCAC will not participate in research conducted for the primary purposes of commercial gain.
• NCAC may consider, solely at its discretion, participation in research projects supported by commercial interests or funds, but only if the proposed research is otherwise consistent with this policy.
• NCAC will only participate in research conducted by reputable researchers. This may be determined through the association of the researcher with a reputable body or institute, or evidence of an established published research profile.
• Any research undertaken with NCAC data will be in partnership with the Australian Government. NCAC will only contribute data to research projects after obtaining approval to do so from the Australian Government Department or Minister responsible for children’s services.
• Whether the logistical demands on NCAC are acceptable.

Confidentiality

Protection of personal information is a primary consideration in any contribution made by NCAC to a research project.

The NCAC Your Privacy brochure states that NCAC:

may also use personal information (following the removal of all sensitive information that may identify individuals or services) for research and internal administrative processes.

Identifying information will be removed from data before it is provided to the researcher.

Prior to release of any data, NCAC will require written agreement from the researcher that personal information that could identify a service or individual will be withheld from publication, and that the security of confidential information will be maintained.  NCAC will also require an agreement that NCAC will be able to assure itself that this agreement is being honoured at any time during or after the research is undertaken.  

Use of NCAC Materials in Research

Copyright of all work published by NCAC is vested in the Australian Government, and apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission of NCAC. This requirement applies to NCAC documents used for research purposes.

Researchers wishing to reproduce NCAC material for research purposes must submit a Copyright Permission Request Form, available on the NCAC website (www.ncac.gov.au).

Acknowledgement

It is expected that NCAC’s contribution to the research will be acknowledged in the research output.

Conflict of Interest

Any actual or perceived conflict of interest must be disclosed in the development of the research. NCAC’s role in administering the CCQA systems will be disclosed in all research to which NCAC contributes.

Authorship

NCAC will not expect authorship where contribution of data is made to a research project, as it is widely understood that participation only through funding or the collection of data does not justify authorship.

Where NCAC’s involvement in a research project extends beyond the contribution of data or funding, NCAC will negotiate authorship rights with the researcher.

While NCAC may have limited control over published research findings, with no intellectual property rights over the research outcomes, prior to contributing to a research project NCAC will negotiate with the researcher to establish:

• when NCAC will have access to research findings (where possible prior to public release)
• the level of editorial comment NCAC can provide
• where, how and when the research findings will be made publicly available
• authorship of, and acknowledgement of contribution to, the research project

Funding

NCAC does not have a budget provision for participation in research projects. It is assumed that NCAC contribution to research projects would be at the cost of the researcher. NCAC will provide an estimate of these costs prior to agreeing on the project.

Where contribution to a research project requires NCAC staff time, for example in database development or collation of data, the researcher would be required to meet these costs.

Should additional funding be required for NCAC to participate in a research project or partnership, NCAC may seek approval from the Australian Government Department or Minister responsible for children’s services to participate in the project and may negotiate funding requirements.

Applications for the use of NCAC data

Requests for the use of NCAC must be in writing and address all items determined by NCAC from time to time.  These will include:

• the name and credentials of the researcher, and any organisation or institution with which they are affiliated
• who (individual, organisation or institute) is proposed to have intellectual property ownership of the research outcome
• a comprehensive research proposal, including research questions, predicted outcomes and research methodology
• a clear description of the data required from NCAC and how it will be used
• other sources of information that will be used in the research
• evidence of relevant ethics clearance (where necessary)
• an explanation about how the confidentiality of NCAC customers will be ensured (where necessary), and how data will be stored, archived or destroyed
• a timeframe for the provision of the data
• an anticipated timeframe for the completion of the research project

Amendments to the Research Proposal

Researchers will be required to contact NCAC if the research project is changed or amended, and the data will no longer be used as specified. In some instances, NCAC may need to negotiate continued participation in the research project with the researcher, and/or the Australian Government Department or Minister responsible for children’s services.