Data Acquisition and Governance
GSB researchers who need access to cutting edge research data can draw on our expertise to help identify data sources and negotiate appropriate licenses and data use agreements.
Licensing the right data is fundamental to any research program. The Data Acquisition and Governance team supports GSB researchers through the entire data acquisition process. When a dataset is acquired, we can support its administration in coordination with Data and Library staff. Applying deep subject-matter expertise, our consultants work with researchers to identify untapped data sources from industry, government, and non-profit sectors. We engage with potential data providers to obtain price quotes, code books, and samples so that GSB researchers can review, analyze, and select data sources that meet the requirements of their research programs.
When a new data source is identified, our experienced legal staff write and review data use agreements which are designed to represent the interest of the GSB researchers. Negotiating the best licensing terms, including price, access, and terms of use, is critical to the ability of our researchers to make the most of new data sources. In careful consultation with our GSB researcher clients, we craft agreements to make the most of GSB and Stanford research infrastructure, comply with Stanford policy, and meet the expectations of data providers and researchers alike.
When agreements have been approved by the appropriate Stanford office, we continue to support GSB faculty with contract compliance issues for all aspects of the research data lifecycle, from collaborating with the Data, Analytics, and Research Computing (DARC) team on data storage and management to onboarding and off-boarding users, resolving issues with providers, and advising users on their rights and obligations. Licenses are tracked for both one-time purchases and long-term subscriptions, including renewals.