MSc Life Sciences | D4 Data and Ethics
Select ive Perspect ives in Autumn 2023
Data and Ethics
– a Handbook
Contribution to the MSc module ‘Data and Ethics’
Author : Elizabeth Njalloor Xavier
Specialization : Master of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
School : Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Month / Date /Year : 11/15/2023
September 2023
,Data and Ethics Handbook
Management Summary
This learning journal aims to record all the data security and management concepts
taught in the module Data Ethics. Also, as part of the course, various online tools for data
security and management were introduced. This journal gives a reflection on the personal
implementation of these tools.
• My data security measures were not adequate. In the light of the course, I could
correct it, for example, installed and started using a password manager.
• Different aspects of the development of a Data Security Plan for an organization
were introduced. Starting with the identification of the key activities of the organi-
zation, classifying it based on the level of protection required, and bringing the
security policy into practice by adopting standard frameworks available.
• The importance of a Data Management Plan (DMP) in data stewardship and pre-
paring a DMP for a pharmaceutical research project. FAIR principles in data and
their significance were introduced.
While developing a data security policy for a pharma company, there was a lack of clarity
in the different elements of the document. Internet resources helped me to understand
and frame it according to my organization's goals. Further in my career, I am aware of the
importance of data security in the workplace. For a new startup company, I can develop
organizations’ security policy. The Journalling process stimulated additional reading and
thinking from a practical perspective.
Page 2/25 Elizabeth Njalloor Xavier
, Data and Ethics Handbook
Declaration of Independence
"I hereby declare,
- that I have written this performance record myself and independently,
- that I have correctly cited all passages in the text that do not originate from me in ac-
cordance with standard scientific citation rules, and that I have clearly mentioned the
sources used.
- that I have declared in an index all aids used (AI assistance systems such as chatbots
[e.g., ChatGPT], translation [e.g., Deepl], paraphrasing [e.g., Quillbot]) or programming
applications [e.g., GitHub Copilot] and indicated their use in the corresponding text pas-
sages,
- that I have acquired all intangible rights to any materials I may have used, such as im-
ages or graphics, or that these materials were created by me.
- that the topic, the report, or parts of it have not been used in a performance record of an-
other module unless this has been expressly agreed with the lecturer in advance and is
indicated in the report.
- that I am aware that my work may be checked for plagiarism and for third-party author-
ship of human or technical origin (artificial intelligence);
- that I am aware that the School of Life Sciences will pursue a violation of this declaration
of independence or the student obligations of the study and examination regulations of
the master's degree program in Life Sciences FHNW on which it is based and that disci-
plinary consequences (reprimand or expulsion from the program) may result."
Place, Date Signature
15/11/2023
Zurich
Page 3/25 Elizabeth Njalloor Xavier
Select ive Perspect ives in Autumn 2023
Data and Ethics
– a Handbook
Contribution to the MSc module ‘Data and Ethics’
Author : Elizabeth Njalloor Xavier
Specialization : Master of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
School : Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Month / Date /Year : 11/15/2023
September 2023
,Data and Ethics Handbook
Management Summary
This learning journal aims to record all the data security and management concepts
taught in the module Data Ethics. Also, as part of the course, various online tools for data
security and management were introduced. This journal gives a reflection on the personal
implementation of these tools.
• My data security measures were not adequate. In the light of the course, I could
correct it, for example, installed and started using a password manager.
• Different aspects of the development of a Data Security Plan for an organization
were introduced. Starting with the identification of the key activities of the organi-
zation, classifying it based on the level of protection required, and bringing the
security policy into practice by adopting standard frameworks available.
• The importance of a Data Management Plan (DMP) in data stewardship and pre-
paring a DMP for a pharmaceutical research project. FAIR principles in data and
their significance were introduced.
While developing a data security policy for a pharma company, there was a lack of clarity
in the different elements of the document. Internet resources helped me to understand
and frame it according to my organization's goals. Further in my career, I am aware of the
importance of data security in the workplace. For a new startup company, I can develop
organizations’ security policy. The Journalling process stimulated additional reading and
thinking from a practical perspective.
Page 2/25 Elizabeth Njalloor Xavier
, Data and Ethics Handbook
Declaration of Independence
"I hereby declare,
- that I have written this performance record myself and independently,
- that I have correctly cited all passages in the text that do not originate from me in ac-
cordance with standard scientific citation rules, and that I have clearly mentioned the
sources used.
- that I have declared in an index all aids used (AI assistance systems such as chatbots
[e.g., ChatGPT], translation [e.g., Deepl], paraphrasing [e.g., Quillbot]) or programming
applications [e.g., GitHub Copilot] and indicated their use in the corresponding text pas-
sages,
- that I have acquired all intangible rights to any materials I may have used, such as im-
ages or graphics, or that these materials were created by me.
- that the topic, the report, or parts of it have not been used in a performance record of an-
other module unless this has been expressly agreed with the lecturer in advance and is
indicated in the report.
- that I am aware that my work may be checked for plagiarism and for third-party author-
ship of human or technical origin (artificial intelligence);
- that I am aware that the School of Life Sciences will pursue a violation of this declaration
of independence or the student obligations of the study and examination regulations of
the master's degree program in Life Sciences FHNW on which it is based and that disci-
plinary consequences (reprimand or expulsion from the program) may result."
Place, Date Signature
15/11/2023
Zurich
Page 3/25 Elizabeth Njalloor Xavier
