Learn how Research Data Scotland (RDS) is working with Administrative Data Research Scotland (ADR Scotland).
ADR Scotland (Administrative Data Research Scotland) is a partnership combining specialists in the Scottish Government and academic researchers at the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Researchers. Along with a number of delivery bodies, they are investing in data linkage infrastructure and working to transform the way researchers access public sector data to enable better informed policy decisions that will improve people’s lives.
ADR Scotland projects are commissioned in line with the ADR Scotland Strategy, which uses administrative data to focus on research that brings public benefit and which responds to policy priorities in Scotland. You can find out more about the catalogue of de-identified, linkable data on the ADR Scotland data catalogue and how accredited researchers can access the data.
Research Data Scotland started work on the ADR Scotland programme as a delivery body in 2023. Since then, we have helped to refresh the process of preparing datasets for secure storage within the National Safe Haven.
Our team have delivered several datasets, which are now available for research. These include the addition of new datasets within Scotland’s National Safe Haven, such as the EU Farm Structure Survey 2010, Achievement for Curriculum for Excellence, and the Children’s Health and Wellbeing Census, as well as updates to existing datasets including the Pupil Census, Attendance and Absences, and Exclusions.
We have built on the good practice that was in place already, adopting and adapting existing systems and processes where appropriate and introducing approaches which have helped us to deliver at pace. This includes the development of a Reproducible Analytical Pipeline (RAP) which provides a consistent approach to data preparation with only minor, dataset-specific adaptations where required, making the process significantly faster.
Several other new and updated datasets will be made available before the end of 2024, including:
Our close working relationships with the partners and delivery bodies involved in the ADR Scotland programme has made the progress on the programme possible. In June 2024 our joint work with Scottish Government was recognised with an ADR UK award for Outstanding Teamwork.
ADR Scotland – part of ADR UK and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council – is helping to make administrative datasets more readily linkable and securely available for research on a suite of critical issues in Scotland, including children's lives and outcomes, lifelong health and wellbeing, health and social care, poverty and fair work, and building safer communities.
RDS began work as a delivery body for the ADR Scotland programme in 2023. This includes:
You can browse the ADR Scotland and other public datasets using the metadata catalogue.
Or find out more about accessing data and submitting enquiries.
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Research Data Scotland (RDS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Scottish Government, detailing how the organisation will help to deliver core elements of the ADR Scotland programme.
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