Researchers: Learning analytics in research publications

This page explains the steps required if you want to publish research using learning analytics data, including ethics, privacy, data clearance, and how to request access beyond what is already available to you.

The two uses of data for learning analytics

1. Learning analytics data to support your teaching role

If you are using the learning analytics available in your Canvas subject and associated tools to analysis your learning design, understand student engagement or analysis assessment patterns, this is considered a 'primary use' ofdata under the Victorian Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 act. No extra steps or student approvals are needed to use your learning analytics data in this way.

2. Learning analytics to support your research

If you wish to publish research based on the learning analytics data in your subject, this is considered as 'secondary use' of data under the Victorian Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 act. Therefore, extra steps are needed to be made before publishing your research. This includes:

  1. Research clearance - normal process for research clearance of a research ethics application, as per University of Melbourne research policies.
  2. Data clearance - Canvas data collection notice to students to be in place. Putting a statement in your Canvas LMS site advising students that you plan to use their anonymised data in research findings before teaching commences.
    NOTE: This includes using Subject Learning Survey - end of subject survey responses data.
  3. Published research data needs to be anonymised, and student identification details removed, unless explicit approval to release names is given by each student identified.
  4. Data needs to be managed as per the Research Data Management Policy (MPF1242) utilising the Melbourne Data Planner.

Scholarship of teaching and learning at the University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education supports staff from across the University who engaged in the scholarship of teaching and learning by connecting people, sharing information, providing expert advice and facilitating workshops.

Requesting access to further learning analytics data for your research publications

Learning analytics data is held under two governance domains within the University:

  1. Student data itself is owned by Academic Registrar. This includes student details such as demographics, gender, age, social economic background, educational background, and ethnicity. The Registrar needs to sign off the use of student data in your research.
  2. Learning analytics data is owned by Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students And Education). This includes teaching data details such as engagement data, assessment performance data, actions in learning tools and progression. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students And Education) needs to sign off the use of learning data in your research.

Request access

If your research requires learning analytics data beyond the scope of the data available to you, Teaching and Learning Innovation can assist in ensuring relevant sign-off for this data clearance and then provide access to the learning analytics data. Please request Teaching and Learning Innovation assistance via this ServiceNow form.