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Reviewing the release request

Two output checkers independently review each file and record their decisions using the buttons within Airlock. Whilst viewing a file in an Airlock release request, they have the option of:

  • Approve — output meets disclosure requirements and is safe to be released
  • Request Changes — output is not currently acceptable for release.

Retrictions for authors

Airlock does not permit users to approve or request changes to files that are part of release requests they created themselves.

Viewing release requests on Airlock🔗

  1. After logging into Airlock, output checkers navigate to the Requests list to view all open requests awaiting review. Note that if an output checker is the author of a request, they will not see it in the outstanding requests list.
  2. Output checkers identify the request by workspace name and requester username. A user can have at most one active request per workspace.
  3. Output checkers can view the files included in the request via the file browser within Airlock. If required (e.g. in order to perform calculations in a spreadsheet), output checkers can also downloaded files from Airlock.

Downloading restrictions

Please note that only request files (not workspace files) can be downloaded. Downloading is permitted only for the purposes of output checking. Request authors are not permitted to download files from their own requests, even if they are also output checkers.

Dealing with discrepancies and requested changes to files🔗

Researchers should withdraw or update any files that have had changes requested in order for their release request to progress. They can add further files, including revised versions of problematic files, and then ask the output checkers for further review.

Files require approval by two output checkers in order to be released. If the two output checkers do not agree on whether a file should be approved or changes should be requested, and there is no way to satisfy the output checker who requests changes, it is possible for a third output checker to supply the second approving review.