The EPIC-Norfolk StudyFor data requests that are approved there are three options for accessing the data:
The first two are trusted research environments (TRE) where you access the data and run your analysis within the EPIC-Norfolk systems. For the third you receive a copy of the data. Please read the information below so understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Some data types can only be accessed through a TRE.
The EPIC-Norfolk study coordinator can facilitate setting up one of these options.
Secure Research Computing Platform (SRCP)
What is SRCP?
SRCP is a secure and controlled analysis environment provided by the University of Cambridge Research Computing Service. It allows researchers to access and analyse EPIC Norfolk datasets for research, similar to a secure reference library. Rather than extracts of individual level data being ‘released’ to users, SRCP provides access to a secure analytics environment so researchers bring the analysis to the data. Results are checked to make sure they align with the research objectives before being removed from the platform to make sure sensitive data is not being taken out.
Why do we use SRCP?
Normally to access personal/sensitive data we would be required to complete a Data Transfer Agreement for us to be able to give you a copy of the data to process on your own systems. This is in order to comply with Data Protection laws as well as to comply with the funder conditions under which the data was acquired, which we are obliged to pass on to onward users of the data. Getting this agreement in place takes some time (several months), and an alternate method of getting you access quicker is to use SRCP, which effectively treats you as if you were a member of our department.
What can be done with SRCP?
SRCP is Linux-based and has standard analysis software such as R and Python available, along with tools for more specialist ’omics analyses. There is scope to add new software that is not currently is assessed on a case by case basis. Containers can be run via Singularity. Computational resources can be provided to meet your analysis needs on a cost recovery basis.
How do you access SRCP?
We would first need you to sign a visiting worker agreement, which effectively treats you as if you are a member of our department. Once the visitor’s agreement has been set up, an IT account will be created which in turn allows your SRCP account to be activated. A project will be set up on SRCP and your data will be saved into a secure folder that you are able to access.
Summary
· SRCP is quicker to set up than a data transfer agreement.
· You are limited to using the software available on SRCP system.
· You are not able to remove the data from SRCP, only the summary results that are relevant to the research (once approval is given).
More information can be found in the SRCP documentation.
In-reach
What is In-reach?
In-reach is a closed-box, windows-based, system, meaning that you remotely access a virtual system within our unit to work on the data. You cannot copy the data onto your own hard disk.
Why do we use In-reach?
Ordinarily to access personal/sensitive data we would be required to complete a Data Sharing Agreement for us to be able to give you a copy of the data to process on your own systems. This is in order to comply with Data Protection laws as well as to comply with the funder conditions under which the data was acquired, which we are obliged to pass on to onward users of the data. Getting this agreement in place takes some time (several months), and an alternate method of getting you access quicker is to use ‘In-reach’, which effectively treats you as if you were a member of our department.
What can be done with In-reach?
You can work with the data in the same way as you would on your own computer but the data remains on our systems. You will be limited to using the software that is available on the In-reach system. Please note that no data can leave the folder without our approval, not even summary statistics, STATA or R scripts or text documents.
What software packages can I use in In-reach?
We have R and STATA available on the system. SPSS is available on request.
How do you set up In-reach?
We would first need you to sign a visiting worker agreement, which effectively treats you as if you are a member of our department and can allow you access to the unit drives. Once the visitor’s agreement has been set up an IT account will be created and your data will be saved into a secure folder that you are able to access.
Summary
- In-reach is quicker to set up than a data sharing agreement.
- You are limited to using the software available on the In-reach system.
- You are not able to save a copy of the data on your own computer, only the summary statistics (once approval is given).
DTA
What is a DTA?
A data transfer agreement (DTA) is an agreement between the University of Cambridge and the institution of the person requesting the data. The EPIC-Norfolk study has a standardised, non-negotiable DTA template, which has been drafted by the Research Operation office at the University of Cambridge.
This DTA template can be used provided the conditions shown below apply.
- The data use has been agreed by the EPIC-Norfolk Management Committee.
- The data requestor is based at a non-commercial organisation.
- The data requestor is based within the European Economic Area (EEA).
If these conditions do not apply, it may still be possible to negotiate a bespoke DTA through the University of Cambridge contracts office but this will take longer than the DTA template route described above.
What can be done with a DTA in place?
The DTA allows the transfer of approved data to the requester so that they can work on the data within their own systems as long as this is carried out under the terms of the DTA. The data can remain with the requester while the DTA is in place but must be deleted at the end of the project.
Summary
- A DTA allows you to have a copy of the data on your own computer.
- You are not limited to using the software available on the In-reach system.
- The EPIC-Norfolk study has a standardised DTA template which is used when certain conditions are met. This DTA template is fixed and non-negotiable which means it can be signed off by the EPIC-Norfolk team to expedite the contracts process.
If the conditions for use of the DTA template are not met, it may still be possible to negotiate a bespoke DTA but this will take longer.
DTA template (pdf)
DTA template (docx)