The purpose of this pamphlet is to clarify the issues pertaining to ownership of research data. It examines legal issues on data management for colleges and universities and suggests ways to better articulate statements regarding data management and ownership. It urges universities, research sponsors, and other pertinent groups to develop policies on data management as they relate to specific disciplines. It reviews definitions of "research data" and "research to be retained" in relation to of policies used by various professional organizations. Data retention issues of custody and length of time to retain data are covered. A poll of 41 universities in the summer of 1993, is reported in which the consensus was that the principal investigator or scientific director should be the custodian of all original data, but opinion varied widely on how long data should be retained. Data ownership is addressed by looking at the legal, university, and government perspectives; as well as that of private sponsors. The slow development by universities of policies regarding data ownership is noted. Also addressed are the conditions for transfer of data and the need for it to be included in future policies. Ten key elements that should be addressed in a policy statement on ownership and retention of research data are identified. A list of 30 acronyms is provided. (Contains reference footnotes.) (LEE)