In any collaboration, data ownership is typically determined by?

Data ownership in collaborative research is largely influenced by the type and source of funds used to support the project. This is because funding agencies often have specific policies concerning data management and ownership that researchers must adhere to. These policies can dictate how data can be used, shared, and retained after a project's conclusion, and they often reflect the interests of the funding organization.

For instance, if a project is funded by a federal grant, the regulations associated with that grant may establish that the data generated from the research remains under the ownership of the institution or the grant holder. Additionally, private funding sources may impose their own requirements that set the terms for data ownership and access.

In contrast, determining ownership based on who does the most work, department chairs’ decisions, or the quality of legal representation does not align with standard practices in research governance. These factors may influence the collaboration itself but do not establish formal data ownership as dictated by funding agreements and institutional policies.