Legal Issues in the Use of Electronic Data Systems for Social Science Research

Paper provides a comprehensive overview of issues associated with data-sharing for social science research. Discusses the main federal and state laws that affect the privacy levels of various datasets that social science researchers may wish to use. Provides an overview of the IRB (Institutional Review Board) process to get research approved. Gives a summary of current law on electronic health data use and security, particularly with respect to HIPAA. Finally, discusses consequences of violating confidentiality laws. Also includes an appendix with additional resources. By John Petrila, J.D., LL.M. for Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy, 9/2015. Publication/gray literature, 41 pp, general audience.