Developing and improving data resources for social science research

A Strategic Approach to the Development of

Longitudinal Data: progress, outcomes and

future plans

Peter Elias

Longview Autumn ConferenceOxford, 2nd- 3rd October 2008

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

Plan of the presentation

•the National Data Strategy and longitudinal data – what has been achieved so far?

•the Birth Cohorts Facility (BCF)

•next steps (2008-2010)

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

Developing a strategy for longitudinal data

Consulting with the research community - Strategic Review of Panel and Cohort Studies - Scientific Case for a New Birth Cohort StudyKey recommendations were: - expand BHPS to 40,000 households; - new cohort study should be started ‘in around 2012’; - cross cohort collaboration should be facilitated; - ALSPAC and LSYPE should be investigated to see if they ‘fill the thirty year gap’ between 1970 and 2000/01 cohorts.

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

Bidding to the LFCF(Large Facilities Capital Fund)

UKHLS (now Understanding Society) bid submitted in 2005 - £12.5m released in 2006; BCF bid submitted in March 2008 - £28.5m ‘earmarked’ in July 2008; Note - this is ‘new’ money (over and above what would otherwise be spent by ESRC, MRC and Wellcome)

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

What is the Birth Cohorts Facility?

3 components: 

•The launch of a new birth cohort in 2012

•The Secure Access Facility (SAF) – access

and linkage

•Coordinated data collection and comparative data development where appropriate

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

What are the next steps?• prepare Full Business Case and seek Ministerial

approval for release of funds. (further work required to explore options in consultation with scientific community);

• the SDS and the ADLS as ‘pilots’ for the SAF;

• implementing the common framework for governance arrangements (MRC, Wellcome, ESRC);

• reviewing the potential of the LSYPE.

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

Future developments in longitudinal studies

• collecting biomarkers in Understanding Society

• international collaboration:o the German, French, Irish and Swiss

cohorts as comparatorso The role of ESFRI in supporting an

EU infrastructure bido US and New Zealand and their new

birth cohorts

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

Revising the National Data Strategy

The 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 facilitate social scientific investigation within future research priorities.

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

How does all this fit with the revised NDS?

•need for better use of existing

resources

•improving data through

linkage

•coordinated access

arrangements

Developing and improving data resources for social science research

Further informationVisit www.esrc.ac.uk/ndsClick on the images below (in presentation mode and online)