{"id":56837,"date":"2024-11-20T09:51:33","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T09:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sfc.ac.uk\/?p=56837"},"modified":"2025-07-29T15:30:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T14:30:36","slug":"pioneering-simpler-access-to-scotlands-public-data","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sfc.ac.uk\/gd\/pioneering-simpler-access-to-scotlands-public-data\/","title":{"rendered":"Pioneering simpler access to Scotland’s public data"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo: Andy Catlin<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s no secret that accessing public sector data for research can prove a challenge. Fragmented information and complex data access processes can slow progress, and from a researcher\u2019s perspective, even simple requests can become convoluted.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Research Data Scotland (RDS), our mission is to work with researchers, analysts and policymakers to make it faster and simpler to access public sector data for research.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Established by the Scottish Government in 2021, Research Data Scotland is an independent charity that works in partnership with the Scottish Government, leading universities and public bodies, such as Public Health Scotland and National Records Scotland.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This includes work to connect researchers to Scotland\u2019s existing public sector data in ways that can link data to get a holistic view about a person, family, place or business. We help researchers find and make use of health, social care and administrative data, making it easier and quicker to understand causes of significant societal challenges and generate evidence to help create policies that improve the lives of people in Scotland.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve made a huge leap towards reaching that goal this year with the introduction of our Researcher Access Service.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Researcher Access Service?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is a fully digitised, faster, and more efficient way of getting hold of data for research projects. The service operates securely, lawfully and offers an improved end-to-end experience for users, while reducing errors and duplication.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Initially, the service includes nine most frequently requested healthcare datasets that are listed below. Improved access to these datasets opens up the potential for valuable research projects, whether that\u2019s using the data to discover new treatments, or explore the impact of government policy on health and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n