New animations launched to explain data topics

The new animations build on RDS’s existing public-friendly Data Explainers, which help members of the public understand what administrative data is, how it’s kept secure, and the work RDS is doing to develop the use of data for research in Scotland.

RDS’s brand values centre on providing clarity, encouraging simplicity and building public trust - values which align closely to the aims of the HDR UK Transparency Standards. To ensure the animations were both accurate and public-friendly, data experts and members of the public were consulted throughout the project. This included two rounds of feedback from the Scotland Talks Data public panel, ensuring the videos used appropriate and accessible language for a wide range of audiences.

Crucially, panel members indicated that the brief animations might generate questions for viewers. In order to answer these questions, the animations are published alongside written Data Explainers and signposts to additional resources, ensuring that viewers can access more detailed information about each of the topics.

Throughout the production process, RDS and Media Co-op aimed to keep accessibility at the forefront of the videos. Alongside closed captions, each video has a corresponding British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted version to support further accessibility and ensure that a wider audience can interact with the resources. In addition, a Creative Commons Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 license enables other organisations to reuse the animations, sharing with a wider audience across Scotland and the UK.

To download the videos for re-use, please get in touch.