New isolated data sets - Category 3 data request
Data will be brought into the University Secure Data Environment where it can be accessed by approved researchers.
This refers to the request for a new set of health and/or social care data, that does not currently reside in the Data Connect portfolio as part of a larger research database.
A Category 3 (CAT3) data request will be for a set of data that will be used by a research group identified and stipulated in the information governance documentation, and will only be used to answer the research question stipulated in the analytic protocol. Data should be removed or destroyed at the end of the project in accordance with the instructions stipulated in the data sharing agreement.
What to do next
If you’re interested in working with us, get in contact
Obtain research ethics approval
All research groups will be required to submit an ethics application before Data Connect can begin working on data applications. Research projects that do not obtain ethical approval, will not be taken on.
Read more about ethics applications
Provide a data specification
A full and detailed data specification will be required, including an indication of which fields and categorical responses will be needed to complete the research. This will be submitted to the data provider as part of the information governance processes and will also be used as a data request to obtain access to the specific data. All versions must be kept up to date in the specified Google Drive to avoid delays and potential cost implications for errors.
Complete an analytical protocol for the research
Data providers will require a full and detailed analytic profile that includes the data specification in order to approve the request. Delays in producing this will result in delays obtaining information governance approval and in data access.
Complete a technical feasibility and scoping document
Data Connect will work with researchers to complete a technical feasibility and scoping document. This will ascertain how the data will be obtained and ingested, what information governance will be required to obtain the data, and estimate what resource will be required to obtain the data.
Complete the necessary information governance documents
All projects that require access to data will need to complete the following documents:
- Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
- Data Sharing Agreement
Data Connect will support research groups to complete standard documentation and provide information on our Secure Data Services and methods for ingesting data. All documents will have to be approved by both the University and the data provider. Data Connect, and other internal University services can support this (such as the Research Hub or Data Protection Office).
Identify the researchers who will need access to the data
All researchers who need to access the data will be required to:
- Be named on the information governance documents agreed by the data provider
- Provide their username to enable access to the virtual machines
- Complete the necessary training, including faculty, department or school specific training, as well as IT specific training