Data requests

We empower faculty affiliates to examine student eLearning rigorously and responsibly

The eLearning Research and Practice Lab has developed a process for faculty researchers to access data from student information systems and Canvas, in order to carry out rigorous and responsible research studies. In this mode, the lab behaves as a “data concierge” to IU faculty.

What data are available? 

The lab’s principal data resource is the Unizin Data Platform (UDP), a secure architecture that supports an integrated representation of a wide range of institutional data sources in a single holistic structure. The UDP's data dictionary is publicly available, and additional data may be available outside the UDP. Contact us for an overview of available data resources.

Protecting student privacy

The eLearning Lab works closely with IU's data stewards, IT administrators, and privacy officers, and is committed to the responsible use of IU's data resources while ensuring the privacy and protection of student information. The lab has extensive experience with FERPA compliance, and carefully de-identifying datasets to avoid deductive disclosure of any individual's identity.

Data request process

1. 1. Design your study
      

      Contact the eLearning Lab to verify the availability of data you are interested in, or to explore options. We can also provide consultation on research design and data management to ensure that your study addresses your research questions responsibly, in compliance with privacy laws and restrictions.

   2. Receive Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for your research study

      Submit an IRB protocol to conduct your study as planned, stating that data will be received from the eLearning Research and Practice Lab. If additional approval is necessary (e.g., from a signatory official at IU), the eLearning Lab can help you obtain this approval.

   3. Submit a signed Data Request Form and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the lab

      Once your IRB protocol is approved, submit an official data request, and append your IRB protocol and/or approval letter. The data request must be signed by a faculty member who must also be the principal investigator (PI) on the approved IRB protocol. Please note that a sufficiently detailed preregistration can also serve as a data request. 

      Along with your data request, the PI must submit to the eLearning Lab a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 

   4. Receive data

      The eLearning Research and Practice Lab will deliver data to the PI via secure transfer according to IU Data Management policies. The lab will also create a public repository containing the data request, the query (written by lab staff) to produce the requested data, as well as timestamps and execution logs, and this repository will be hosted on IUScholarWorks.

   Email us to start a data request