ADR Scotland data records
Available ADR Scotland datasets including links to metadata files and supporting information.
Metadata catalogue
Search public sector datasets about people, places and businesses to request access for your research.
Discover public sector datasets available to request for research.
Search the catalogue
Enter a search term or select a tag below to find related datasets.
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About the catalogue
The RDS metadata catalogue collates information on datasets available for research published by various public sector organisations across Scotland. We will add new datasets to the catalogue as they become available for research purposes.
The information provided for each dataset includes top-level descriptions, dates of creation and updates, and access details. Some records include technical information (in JSON format), for example details of variables and data classes contained in the dataset.
Data access overview
Find out more about the process of applying for access to secure datasets.
Pre-application checklist
Discover if you are ready to submit a data access enquiry.
Further resources
In addition to the RDS metadata catalogue, additional resources may be helpful to researchers looking to use health, social care and administrative data from Scotland. The following respositories offer information on a variety of public sector datasets.
ADR Scotland has published a list of datasets which researchers affiliated with approved organisations can apply to access. This includes links to metadata files, supporting information and related resources.
The National Data Catalogue is published by Public Health Scotland (PHS) and provides information on Scottish health and social care datasets.
The NDC comprises a data dictionary, a full list of national datasets held by Public Health Scotland and a “New Developments” section listing up and coming datasets.
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HDR UK Innovation Gateway – Contains information on more than 750 health-related datasets in the UK. Through the Gateway, researchers can discover, curate and request access to health datasets, tools and resources.
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UK Data Service – Lists information on and access requirements for social science data in the UK, including both secure and open data as well as teaching datasets. Researchers can browse data by theme, type or geography.
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ONS Secure Research Service (SRS) – Allows researchers to search for and request access to de-identified unpublished data on economic, social and population statistics in the UK (including census data) to use in research for the public good.
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Scottish Government Open Data Platform – Managed by the Scottish Government, this site provides public access to the data behind Scotland’s official statistics in linked open data format. Statistics are provided from a variety of organisations such as the Scottish Government, National Records of Scotland, NHS Information Services Division and Transport Scotland.
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Scottish Longitudinal Study Data Dictionary – Contains full variable information and advanced search options for the Scottish Longitudinal Study (SLS), a large-scale linkage study created using data from administrative and statistical sources.
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West of Scotland Safe Haven – A partnership between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the University of Glasgow, providing secure access and research support service to large NHS health datasets relating to citizens in the Glasgow region.
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Grampian Data Safe Haven (DaSH) – A secure, virtual healthcare data analysis and storage centre established by the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian providing secure processing and linking of health data for the Grampian and Scottish population when it is not practicable to obtain consent from individual patients.