ONS Research Support and Data Access

Nick O’Donnell, Head of Research Data Access

Using Secondary Data in Research EventBristol University, 7 February 2018

Published ONS Statistics

ONS

Census

National Accounts

Labour Market

Population / Demography

Health

Unpublished Data

Census

National Accounts

Labour MarketPopulation /

Demography

Health

Unpublished ONS DataPrivacy

Utility

Research Support & Data Access

• Maintain and improve systems to provide safe access to ONS research

data

• Accredit research projects and researchers, providing support for

researchers (including output clearance)

• Review data dissemination practices across ONS to ensure appropriate

data security controls in place & best practice adopted

• Maintain and build collaborative relationships with key stakeholders

• Raise the profile of research using ONS data to deliver a UK public

benefit. Contribute to UK Statistics Authority Better Statistics Better

Decisions strategy

Data Access ‘Vision’

Unpublished Statistics

Informed Researchers

Public Benefit

Unpublished Statistics: We will make our statistics available in a lawful and secure manner for research, whilst maintaining the privacy of our respondents

Informed Researchers: We will work with researchers to understand how best our portfolio of unpublished statistical data can be used for research.

Public Benefit: We will facilitate statistical research that improves our knowledge of society, helping to make informed decisions that deliver public benefit.

The Research Community

Data Providers

Research Support Researchers

Decision & Policy

makers

• Central Government, Bank of England, etc.• Local Government• Academia• ADRN / ESRC / UKDS / ERC / Data Science / ESCOE etc.• Commercial/private sector • Research, policy organisations• Community/voluntary organisations• Devolved Administrations• Media, other consumers• International Collaboration

The 5-Safes Safe PeopleTrained and Accredited Researchers, trusted to use

data appropriately

Safe DataResearchers can only use data that have been de-

identified

Safe SettingsAccess to data only possible using our secure

technology systems

Safe ProjectsData only used for valuable, ethical, research that

delivers clear public benefits

Safe OutputsAll research outputs checked to ensure they cannot

identify data subjects

Ensuring Safe Use of Data

Safe People: Accreditation of Researchers

• Criteria – qualifications/experience, transparency, declaration

• Approximately 2,000 Accredited Researchers (ARs)

• Includes approx. 30 Provisional ARs

• Published record on ONS website

• Almost 350 researchers trained by ONS in 16/17

• Accreditation transferable between other schemes, e.g. HMRC, Digital Economy Act

Safe Research Projects• Each year, approx. 400 research projects approved for access to ONS data

• Approx. 2,000 live projects

• To be approved, projects must:• demonstrate a public benefit to the UK; • A legal gateway to access the data exists; and• Use of the data is ethical and feasible

• They cover a diverse range of fascinating topics, such as • Analysis to inform decisions by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy

Committee• Analysis to inform the development and evaluation of a range of employment

policies, such as: • National Living Wage• Health and safety at work; and • Apprenticeship reforms

• Evaluation of UK Government support for business• British Women’s Heart and Health Study• Impact of migration on health services• Mapping Inequalities in UK Cities

Four Dimensions of Data Access Approval

Feasibility• Criteria:

• What data?• For what

purpose?• Can it be

done?• Initial IAO /

Data Owner(s) approval

Lawful• Criteria:

• Who is using the data?

• What data is being used?

• For what purpose?

Approvals• Criteria:

• Data Access 'Principles'

• For what purpose?

• Policy impact & Public benefit

• Who is using the data?

• What data is being used?

• Where will data be stored & accessed?

Conditions• Criteria:

• Set out in the Data Access Agreement (DAA)

• Who is using the data?

• What data is being used?

• Where will data be stored & accessed?

• Security Arrangements?

• Training?• Duration of

access?

Civil Registration Data

Business Data Census DataSocial

Survey Data

Other Government Departments

Other Government Department

s

Local Authority

Academic / third sector

researcher

Academic / third sector

researcher

Academic / third sector researcher

Local Authority

Academic / third sector

researcher

Bodies named in SRSA and subsequent

amendments

Local Developme

nt Plan

Approved Researcher scheme

SRSA Section 42

Type

of d

ata

Gat

eway

sU

ser

DATA RELEASE GOVERNANCE / DISCLOSURE CONTROL

Consent

via viaviavia via viavia viavia

to tototo to to to to to

Underpinning Legislation

Safeguards and Underpinning Legislation

Ministerial Direction

Approved Research

er Scheme

Approved Research

er Scheme

Approved Research

er Scheme

close

Approved Research

er Scheme

Or

Safe Setting (environment)

• Relevant to the data accessed, e.g. controlled data in the ONS Secure

Research Service (SRS) or UK Data Service Secure Lab

• Catalogue of data that can be accessed, as well as analytical software

• Approx. 160 researchers accessing SRS each month (2016/17)

• Rigorous arrangements in place to restrict (e.g. no internet connection) and

monitor access

• ONS has SRS settings at each of its offices and at some government offices,

e.g. in Scotland and Northern Ireland

• Work underway to establish remote access to the SRS (similar to Secure Lab

access for academia) and increase capacity

The 5 Safes - Safe Setting

More confidential, harder access

SourceData

SecureData

SafeguardedData

Open Data

Less confidential, easier access

Anywhere!Password encrypted

servers

Within data owners’

organisation

Password encrypted

servers

Safe rooms

Remotely

Safe Setting = an environment that is appropriate for the data:(Does it prevent misuse of the data?)

Safe Data: Output checking

• ONS Statistical Support team check all SRS outputs to help ensure

data confidentiality is protected (UK Data Service provide similar for

Secure Lab)

• Responsibility on both the researcher and Output checking team

• Principles based statistical disclosure control

• ONS clear approx. 120-130 outputs/month (2016/17)

• Types of outputs -pre-publication and publication (final) outputs

Safe data: Spectrum of Data Access

High

LowRisk

Demonstrating the Impact of Analysis using ONS Research Data

What next…..

• Develop the connectivity and capacity of the SRS

• Online systems to enable researchers to submit and monitor their

applications online

• Increased engagement and collaboration with research community

• Continuing commitment to demonstrating the impact and findings from

statistical research to inform decision and policy making

• Implementation of the Research components of the Digital Economy

Act. This should encourage the availability of more data and enhance

data linking

Any Questions?

Further information:Nick O’Donnell: nick.o’donnell@ons.gov.uk

General enquiriesResearch.Support@ons.gov.uk