Welcome to this new blog on using administrative data for research! This a rapidly growing area of research with the increased availability of access to administrative datasets and the drive for access to secure datasets from public services. Most recently, the ambitious data-linking programme Data First, led by the Ministry of Justice and funded by ADR UK, and the SAIL databank, funded by the Welsh Government’s Health and Care Research Wales.

This blog will feature discussions on topics specific to the use of anonymised person-based administrative data for research, which will include:

• Accessing secure data
• Statistical disclosure
• Synthetic data
• Data processing; working with raw data
• Creating research relevant variable
• The public good

The topics discussed will be based on experience that will help inform future researchers about using administrative data.