Article

How to Apply for Data Access

By ICPSR Staff

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As required by PCORI’s Data Sharing and Data Management policy, all users must submit a brief application to access data in PCODR. The application process is streamlined to facilitate public access to data from PCORI-funded studies. ICPSR aims to approve all applications within 15 business days following submission of the application and CVs for all research staff, assuming all conditions are met.

To submit an application:

  1. Find the study you are interested in by using the search feature or viewing all studies.
    1. Investigators may identify more than one study of interest. PCODR is designed to support the use of multiple studies for research requests, and you can select additional studies as part of creating your application.
  2. To identify key data elements and documentation to support your request, navigate to the Data & Documentation tab to download and read the Study-Level Files. You can also go to the Approved Requests main navigation to see studies in progress or to the Data-related Publications tab to see what research has been completed using this data.
  3. Click on the Access Restricted Data button above the tabs.
  4. Click Start Application.
    1. You will be prompted to create an account if you do not already have one.
  5. Follow the steps for applying for restricted data. This will include filling out an online application regarding your research and submitting research team CVs.
    1. Please see an approved application or the list of restricted data application questions.
  6. Your application materials will be reviewed by an Independent Review Committee (five voting members) and the study PI (non-voting member).
    1. Typically, the application review process takes 15 business days.
  7. Concurrent with the PCODR application review, it is the investigator’s responsibility to receive IRB approval and an institutional signature on a Restricted Data Use Agreement.

Once an application is approved, investigators will be provided access to the data in a virtual data enclave once the IRB approval and institutional signature is received. A short virtual data enclave training is also required.