RESEARCHER RESPONSE TIMES

Population Data BC is reducing processing times by committing to maximum 5 day turnarounds when communicating with researchers and Data Stewards. For the same purpose, Population Data BC has put into place the following guidelines for response times by researchers. It is our hope that these guidelines and our commitments will significantly decrease the amount of time involved in preparing, submitting and clarifying an application. Researchers will be agreeing to comply with these guidelines when they sign the Population Data BC – Researcher Services Agreement (when their project has been approved).

If Population Data BC does not receive any response from the researchers within 60 days of the initial communication the researcher will be notified that they have 30 days to respond or the application will be withdrawn. The response does not need to propose a solution to the issue communicated; the researcher should acknowledge receipt of the communication and provide whatever information is available at the time. Researchers have a total of 90 days from the date of initial contact to respond otherwise their application will be withdrawn.

If Population Data BC does not receive acknowledgement or receipt from the researcher we will:

• Email follow up in 7 days
• Phone follow up in 15 days
• Give final notice at 60 days
• Formally withdraw the application at 90 days