6.7 The data lifecycle

Data stewardship continues from receipt through final disposition.

1. Receive: Confirm the source, version, permitted purpose, and transfer method.
2. Store: Use approved locations and appropriate access controls.
3. Use: Restrict analysis to approved people, variables, and purposes.
4. Share: Review every output for confidentiality and disclosure risk.
5. Retain: Keep files only for the approved period.
6. Dispose: Follow the required deletion, archival, or return process and document completion where necessary.

Copies often multiply during a project. Downloads, email attachments, local exports, presentation images, and backup folders must all be considered when the project ends.

Common mistake: A free, popular, or institutionally accessible service is not automatically approved for confidential data. Permission depends on the specific data, purpose, agreement, and service configuration.