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Data Standards and Guidelines

Data Access, Sharing, and Usage (DASU) Standard

The Data Access, Sharing and Usage (DASU) Standard has been developed by the Data Strategy and Governance office through a collaborative effort with the Data Trustees and Data Users. It addresses secure and consistent access, sharing and usage of data to leverage its value for data insights and innovative uses.

  • The Standard is appliable to Data Users (faculty and staff members) internal to Queen's who require data for their university-assigned work and can demonstrate this need.
  • The Standard is applicable for all institutional data and data assets as detailed in the Standard. It applies to research administration data but does not apply to data generated by research.

Institutional Data

Includes data used for planning, managing, operating, controlling, or auditing university functions, including research, administration, operations and mission.
Excludes data generated by research or data owned or generated by third parties when used in research, conducted at the university or using university research.

Data Assets

Aggregation, grouping of facts, reports, visualizations, algorithms, computational models, search and access services, and other assets to inform decision-making.

There are various sections in the Standard that address how and under what conditions access to data can be allowed:

  1. Data Request Section: This includes the process to make a request, use of the Data Usage Request (DUR) form, guidelines for completing a request, and guidance for making a request that involves Personal Information (PI).
  2. Authorization Decision Section: This describes the assessment of a request: considerations, approval criteria, and how to decide on requests with PI. It also includes the escalation process in case of an issue with the approval decision.
  3. Responsible Use Section: This addresses concerns of Data Trustees about how shared data will be managed, protected, and used to ensure security and compliance.
  4. Data Delivery Section: This provides guidance on delivery format, frequency, and process for how data will be provided to the requestor.

The Standard also includes definitions of key terms and links to other relevant policies and standards. For more details, click the following links:

Note: Resources are shared among members of the data governance community (Queen's staff and faculty members). To access these resources, you may need to request permission.

 

Data Visualization Guidelines

In a world shaped by complex information, clear and effective data visualization is essential. Whether sharing enrolment trends, research outcomes, operational metrics, or campaign metrics, the way we present data determines how effectively our insights are understood.

These data visualization guidelines will help Queen’s marketing and communications professionals to present data clearly, accessibly, and in accordance with the university’s Visual Identity Guidelines.

While these best practices and colour palettes may also be useful for researchers, data visualization in some disciplines is informed by specialized guidelines.