ratswd workshop, mannheim, 14 th november 2007

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

Enhancing, enriching and developing household sample

surveys in the UK: the strategic perspective

Peter Elias

RatSWD workshop, Mannheim, 14th November 2007


Plan of the presentation

• the UK National Data Strategy – what is it and how was it developed?

• household surveys within the scope of the National Data Strategy

• strategic plans to enhance and enrich household surveys



The UK National Data Strategy

The UK National Strategy for Data Resources for the Social Sciences is a plan to develop and maintain a robust data infrastructure, ensuring that relevant and timely data are available to inform and address future research priorities in the social sciences.


- Need to relate data development to research interests - Variety of data types to be supported - Emphasis on collaboration, data sharing and co- funding to enhance and enrich resources - Need to improve data access - Need to bridge current disciplinary boundaries - ‘Internationalisation’ of the research agenda

Main elements of the strategy


- Creation of the UK Data Forum - Integration with the strategic planning cycles of Research Councils and government departments - Funding via ESRC and Large Facilities Capital Fund - Large amount of time devoted to consultation and promotion of the National Data Strategy (academia, government departments, research councils, via media)

Mechanisms to develop and implement the strategy


Further informationWork commenced in October 2004

Next three year plan now being developed (2007 – 2010)

Double click opposite in ‘Normal’ view to download, or contact [email protected]

UK infrastructure roadmap – on 6th November 2007


Household surveys within the scope of the National Data

StrategyLongitudinal data resources

• commissioned the world’s largest longitudinal household study (see www.esrc.ac.uk/ukhls ).

• establishing the scientific case for a new child cohort study to start around 2011/12

• plans to integrate six birth cohort studies.


Census and cross sectional household survey data

• Plans to provide improvements in access to Census 2011• Monitoring plans for the new Integrated Household Survey

Household surveys within the scope of the National Data

Strategy


• Integration of five existing household surveys (LFS, GSL, OMN, EHS, EFS)• Unclustered sample design• Harmonisation of key concepts (Census definitions)• More reliable sub-regional estimates• Flexibility for future topics• More efficient data generation and survey management

Progress towards introduction of the Integrated Household

Survey (IHS)


• Survey Case Management System• Single trained field force capable of administering all element• Over 350,000 households per annum (470,000 interviews)• Face-to-face or telephone interviews• More reliable sub-regional estimates• Release of non-disclosive microdata via Data Archive• Release of data with detailed geography via ‘Special Licence’• Fieldwork commences in January 2008

The Integrated Household Survey (IHS):key elements


Administrative data

• Reviewed the research potential of administrative data held by selected agencies, covering pensions, social security, health, businesses and vital statistics (Jones and Elias 2006).

• Administrative Data Service about to be commissioned.

Other relevant developments


• National pupil database• Longitudinal social security records• Vital statistics• Hospital episode statistics• GP records• Employers tax records

Enhancing household survey data via data linkage


Data access• Establishing a more flexible data access regime via ‘Special License’.• Secure Data Service about to be commissioned.• Working with the new Statistics Board (successor to

Office for National Statistics) to define ‘approved researcher’ status.

Progress in implementing the National Data Strategy


Linked biomedical/socio-economic data• exploring the possibility of collecting ‘biomarkers’ in UKHLS (the new longitudinal study starting in 2008) and in any new cohort study.• working with the medical research and funding communities to establish better access to biological material (primarily DNA) linked to survey data.

Enhancing and enriching household survey data


• to facilitate research at the boundary between the medical, biological and social sciences (genetics, mental health, lifestyle, etc.)

• to stimulate cross-disciplinary research on child development, education and social change, environmental challenges

• to encourage major research projects on the nature and impacts of migration

• to stimulate comparative cross-national research

• to encourage international research on global problems

What is the strategic importance of these

developments?

ratswd workshop, mannheim, 14 th november 2007

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