ADLS publications and administrative data documents

You can download our ADLS publications, guidance notes and other useful documents surrounding the use of administrative data from this section.

1. Accessing and sharing administrative data and the need for data security (2012)
This online publication provides information about common elements of administrative data access and sharing in the UK. It also outlines the relevant law relating to using personal data for research purposes and summarises new innovations to improve the sharing of administrative data for research. The document can be read in your browser or alternatively you can download the print version here.

2. Education administrative data: Exploring the potential for academic research (2011)
This online publication reviews and provides information on education administrative data in the UK, including their uses, how to prepare the data for analysis and their strengths and limitations. The document can be read in your browser or alternatively you can download the print version here.

3. Health adminstrative data: Exploring the potential for academic research (2010)
This online publication reviews and provide information on health administrative data in the UK, including their uses, how to prepare the data for analysis and their strengths and limitations. The document can be read in your browser or alternatively you can download the print version here.

1. Section 33 of the Data Protection Act 1998 – a practical note for researchers
This document provides information on Section 33 of the Data Protection Act 1998, which provides a research exemption to those engaged in historical or other research.

2. Using non-sensitive personal data for research purposes
This document provides information about whether a researcher can legitimately process personal data for research purposes.

3. Using sensitive personal data for research purposes
This document provides information about whether a researcher can legitimately process sensitive personal data for research purposes.

4. Guidance on penalties for serious breaches of the Data Protection Act
This document provides guidance about the penalties associated for serious breaches of the Data Protection Act. It also provides guidance about when a researcher may become a data controller and be liable for such penalties under this Act.

5. Interactive Data Protection Guide
This is an interactive document which provides information on the Data Protection Act. It includes research exemptions and question and answers to help you determine what is ‘personal data’.

6. Freedom of Information Act 2000 – a practical note for researchers
This document provides information on the Freedom of Information Act 2000, including procedures for making a request and an overview of the exemption for personal information.

1. ADLS conference slides
In July 2011, the ADLS held a conference to help demonstrate innovative research, methodologies and modes of access for administrative research. The download contains slides from the speakers at the event.

2. ICO anonymisation seminar slides
In March 2011, the Information Commissioner’s Office held a conference to discuss issues surrounding the use and publication of anonymous data. The download contains a report and copies of slides from the speakers.

3. Administrative data as a research resource: a selected audit
This document provides a review of administrative data in the UK and assesses their potential as a research resource.

4. Data Sharing Review 2008
At the request of the Prime Minister, this document undertakes a review of the framework for the use of information in both public and private sectors.

5. ICO Privacy Impact Assessment Handbook
This document is a tool developed by the Information Commissioner’s Office to help organisations identify and assess privacy concerns for their initiatives or projects.

6. ESRC National Data Strategy
This ESRC provides sets out how the ESRC will develop and prioritise research data between 2009 and 2012.