The Instructure Community will enter a read-only state on November 22, 2025 as we prepare to migrate to our new Community platform in early December. Read our blog post for more info about this change.
Using canvas for a research team. Eventually, community members involved in the research will need to have access to data sets. Can people who do not affiliation with university be added to a site to access the information?
Solved! Go to Solution.
Hi @tsmertz Welcome to the Canvas Community!
So................. I am not entirely certain I understand what you are currently doing or what you are asking for: Are you using a Free-for-Teachers (FFT) version of Canvas to conduct or document some form of research rather than using a Canvas course provided by a University with a Canvas account?
Hardly matters, because it is entirely up to the policies and practice of a university as to whom can and cannot be listed as a Canvas user, and at what role. I see you are at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and I found two role-based Get Help links on their Canvas web page. I would suggest starting your inquiry there.
As for Canvas itself, both the product and the company leave that kind of decision up to the account holder (school).
I hope I haven't misunderstood what you are asking for.
Kelley
Hi @tsmertz Welcome to the Canvas Community!
So................. I am not entirely certain I understand what you are currently doing or what you are asking for: Are you using a Free-for-Teachers (FFT) version of Canvas to conduct or document some form of research rather than using a Canvas course provided by a University with a Canvas account?
Hardly matters, because it is entirely up to the policies and practice of a university as to whom can and cannot be listed as a Canvas user, and at what role. I see you are at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and I found two role-based Get Help links on their Canvas web page. I would suggest starting your inquiry there.
As for Canvas itself, both the product and the company leave that kind of decision up to the account holder (school).
I hope I haven't misunderstood what you are asking for.
Kelley
As an alternative, maybe put the data on Open Science Framework, as private, and link to it from your Canvas site to manage the workflow for on-campus researchers. The off-campus researchers could then access the data via OSF, and you can keep it private.
Great suggestion, @rtincoff !
I am wondering, though, if Tory isn't asking about the Canvas Data. If they are using FFT, access to Canvas Data for their FFT site will have nothing to do with the University's Canvas account.
Kelley
we are using a canvas course from the university with a canvas account. Thanks for your replies. I do have an email to my university IT to see what their policies are to allow members not affiliated with the university access. if not, i also am going to look at Open Science!
Hi again, @tsmertz
I think you have lucked out, because now when the research has been completed the data will be retained. Talk to the school's Canvas Admin about access policies.
Kelley
Community helpTo interact with Panda Bot, our automated chatbot, you need to sign up or log in:
Sign inTo interact with Panda Bot, our automated chatbot, you need to sign up or log in:
Sign in
This discussion post is outdated and has been archived. Please use the Community question forums and official documentation for the most current and accurate information.