How to access theAEDC data collections

Sonia Whiteley and Eric Skuja, The Social Research Centre

AEDC Conference, 18–20 February 2015

Before we start – About this session

About this session: • The first part of the presentation is about the AEDC

data collections • We’ll have a ‘half time’ break• And the second part of the session will involve a practical

demonstration of the AEDC Data Explorer.

Questions and notes

• There will be time for questions at the end of both parts of the presentation

• Copies of this presentation will be made available and there is a handout (so there’s no need to write anything down unless you feel inspired!)

• The AEDC was formerly known as ‘AEDI’, so some resources shown in this presentation are branded ‘AEDI’.

About us

• We are a private, for-profit company owned by ANU Enterprise

• Our services include: survey design and execution, qualitative research, survey data management, statistical consulting and analytical reporting.

Our role in the AEDC

• Data collection (2012 & 2015)• Data management • Website creation and maintenance• Data explorer creation and maintenance• Reporting (National Reports, Community Profiles &

School Profiles) from 2015

About the AEDC data management team

• Sonia Whiteley – Executive Director, Research Strategy• Megan O’Connell – AEDC, Research Manager• Rebecca Tadman – Research Officer• Paul Hambly – Web & Publications Manager• Eric Skuja – Manager, Education & Training Data• Danny Smith – Data Analyst

Presentation overview

1. About AEDC data collections and AEDC resources

2. Accessing unpublished or ‘bespoke’ AEDC data

3. Navigating the publicly available AEDC data (including a demonstration of the AEDC Data Explorer).

About the AEDC collections and resources

In this section:• How is the AEDC data collected?• What happens after the census finishes?• What resources are available on the AEDC website?

How is the AEDC data collected?

• Data collection commences in May of a census year (2015!) and concludes in August

• Each teacher has secure access to a list of students in their classes

• AEDC items are completed via an online survey for each student in their first year of school

• Completions are monitored at a student, school and jurisdictional level throughout the collection.

What happens after the census finishes?• We download all of the records and remove all AEDC

information from the server• The file is cleaned and checked for duplicates• Community boundary information is confirmed with

the jurisdictions• Each community is examined to maximise the amount of

reportable data and communities• Final files are produced to create the main AEDC data reports• 2015 data to be released in the first half of 2016

Resources on the AEDC website

Many resources are available on theAEDC website – www.aedc.gov.au

The main data reports include:• National reports• Community profiles• School profiles.

The National Reports

These feature:• Data on the headline AEDC findings• National and state-based comparisons• Trend information across collections• Contextual information on education

policy and practice.

Community Profiles

These feature:• Background information about the AEDC• Information to help interpret the results• Data about the children surveyed such as:

– demographics and characteristics – results for each local community by domain– a definition of terms.

School Profiles

• A snapshot of your school• Information to help interpret the results• Data about the children surveyed, such as:

– demographics and characteristics– results for your school by domain– a definition of terms

• Each school has secure access to its own profile.

Other important AEDC resources

A wide range of other resources are available, including:• School stories • Community stories• Policy briefs• Research reports• Presentations• Fact sheets.

About the AEDC collections and resources

A wide range of reports and data products are freely available.

You don’t have to dive into the data if you would prefer to read a report…www.aedc.gov.au/resources/reports

Accessing unpublished or ‘bespoke’ data

• In addition to the publically available data resources, there are a ‘bespoke’ data products including:– Macrodata – Microdata– Data Linkage support.

Accessing AEDC data on the website

www.aedc.gov.au/researchers/accessing-aedc-data

Data access ‘philosophy’

• Our philosophy about supporting access to AEDC data:– See if the policy, practice or research questions can be

answered using publicly available resources (quicker and easier for data requesters!)

– See if the request can be fulfilled by a jurisdictional representative (free!)

– Identify which type of data is required– We will always strive to offer the quickest and most

cost-effective solution.

Basic features of data requests

• All data requests must: – comply with the conditions outlined in the AEDC Data Protocol– be approved by the Commonwealth Department of Education and

Training

• Additionally, they will:– usually have clearance from a Human Research Ethics

Committee – be circulated for noting by the AEDC National Committee.

Different types of bespoke AEDC data

• Three broad types of data are available on request:– Macrodata or data tables– Microdata or unit record files, and– Data linkage, Microdata files.

• AEDC Data Management has a process for accessing each type of data.

About AEDC Macrodata

• Data tables or profiles are typically the quickest and easiest files to produce

• They are good for data users who don’t need to undertake detailed analyses

• Macrodata is easy to replicate from collection to collection• This type of data is often useful for annual reports,

evaluations and grant applications.

Some uses of AEDC Macrodata

• Evaluation of “Got It!”– Looked at sub domains of the

emotional maturity domain to provide background data on children’s behaviour in 3 NSW LGAs

• Goodstart Early Learning– Using AEDC data for service

planning, to target intensive early intervention programs

Some uses of Macrodata

• Productivity Commission– Providing statistics to inform the

Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Report 2014

About AEDC Microdata files

Each file is:• created to the applicant’s specifications • anonymised but not confidentialised• subjected to a risk analysis• only to be used by the approved Research Team • approved for release by the Department.

Tips for requesting AEDC Microdata

Microdata is most often used by researchers who need unit record files to analyse the data in a specific way:• These files may take longer to produce than Macrodata,

depending on the amount of customisation and variables• Only request what you need – please don’t tick the box for

every data element• Carefully consider the demographic variables you request.

Some uses of Microdata (1)

• Aboriginal Health Landscape: Identifying and monitoring Aboriginal health disparities in South Australia– Using AEDC data to inform research

on disparities in health and social determinants between and within communities of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in South Australia at a local area level.

Some uses of Microdata (2)

• How health shapes young children’s academic outcomes, and opportunities to intervene – This project aims to determine how children’s academic

and developmental outcomes are shaped by common physical health problems during the early years of school.

AEDC Data Linkage

• Data linkage is the most complex (and time consuming) type of data request handled by the team

• AEDC data is linked to other data sets to provide a more fulsome picture of a cohort– for example linking to perinatal data sets to examine the effects of maternal health on school readiness

• Check that the linkage agency you intend to use is approved to link the AEDC data

• Look at the current and past AEDC linkage projects to see if anyone has already linked the data that interests you.

Some uses of data linkage

• NSW Child Development Study Record Linkage 1– A 15-20 year linkage project to determine markers of early

childhood development that represent vulnerability to negative health and well-being outcomes in adolescence and young adulthood

• In the pipeline:– Longitudinal studies on a variety of cohorts including children in

out-of-home care, expectant mothers and their newborns– Studies examining a variety of risk and protection factors.

Breadth of AEDC research

Many researchers have accessed AEDC data for use in all or part of their study. Research themes have included:

Submitting a request for data

• Check to see if anyone else has a similar research interest • Familiarise yourself with the application steps• Read the application form in conjunction with the

application guide• Fill in the form, include any attachments and signatures.

Key points to remember

• Request only the data you need – make sure you link the variables you are asking for to the research questions

• Provide a statement in plain English – this helps the broader community understand the research underway

• Assess and address any risks that may relate to the data you are requesting

• Contact us if you have any queries.

Charges for data services – Free

Some data services are free. Free support includes:• Accessing / interpreting publicly available data• Creating Macrodata that takes less than 30 minutes

(e.g. I just need a number!)• Assisting with a previously approved request

(e.g. I forgot something important!)

Charges for data services – Fee paid

Some data services attract a fee. These include:• Production of Macrodata that takes more than

30 minutes• Creation of Microdata or linkage files• Writing reports using AEDC data• Training about any aspect of the AEDC collections.

Your data request is approved – what next?

• Details of your project are placed on the AEDC website so the broader community is aware of your research

• Please keep us up to date – we love to hear how your research is progressing

• Please provide us with copies of your presentations and publications 20 days before they are due to be published – we need to protect individual’s identities and ensure data is reported accurately

• Provide us with annual and final reports.

AEDC Research projects

All AEDC research projects are listed (and can be filtered) here: www.aedc.gov.au/resources/research-projects

Support for data access requests

• Email us on support@aedc.gov.au• Call us on 1800 092 548• Contact a member of the team you worked with before • Contact us at any stage – earlier is better!

Accessing unpublished or ‘bespoke’ AEDC data

• A wide range of reports and data products are freely available for all of the AEDC collections

• Unpublished data is readily available in tables or unit record files on request

• The AEDC Data Explorer contains detailed information and maps about my community.

Navigating publicly available AEDC data

The AEDC Data Explorer contains detailed information and maps about Australia, your state and your community.

And finally…

AEDC data is available in a range of user-friendly formats. If you can’t find what you need – just ask!

Email support@aedc.gov.au

Or call 1800 092 548