** Reply to note from Tim Trent <[log in to unmask]> Fri, 3 Sep 2004 15:02:58 +0100
> This area is, to me, the most complex of all. "How long may one retain
> data?"
>
> This varies from organisation to organisation. One cannot say "yes, up to 2
> years old is ok" unless it has been custom and practice to do this for many
> years and unless the data sample is one proven not to decay badly in that
> period.
I don't think 2 years (1 or 3) is the issue. The question *probably* refers to potential
students. Now, being the open university I don't think its normal intake would be
made up of school leaving applicants (hence if they apply whilst at school it
would be reasonable to ask them 2 years later and not 1 year later ... as they
may still be making their minds up or looking for better grades).
I think the two years could be reasonable in as much as less than that is not
enough to get a potentially useful answer. Here comes the *but* can a follow
on be made because someone asked for a prospectus or similar? Was it
stated that the data would be used for market research purposes (and offer
opportunities for objection). Many requests would come in through the phone,
email, letter where such an option would not be available. Unless the original
poster is thinking of something else by saying "... those enquired ..."
Regards
Charles
--
Charles Christacopoulos, Management Information Officer,
Planning & Information, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN,
Scotland, United Kingdom. Tel: 44(0)1382-344891. Fax: 44(0)1382-348845.
http://www.somis.dundee.ac.uk/ ::egothor http://www.egothor.org/
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