Proposing data linkages and enhancements

We are keen to explore ways that we can enrich our cohort studies to strengthen their value to the research community. We would like to hear your proposals.

The CLS Data Access Committee (CLS DAC) welcomes proposals for new data linkages and data enhancements to its four cohort studies. The functioning of the CLS DAC is described here: Accessing data directly from CLS.

Please allow plenty of time for us to process your request. We suggest you submit your application at least six months before you plan to start.

New data linkage

We have a programme of record linkages underway. This covers a wide range of external data, such as health, education and geographical indicators, linked to our four longitudinal studies. These linked data are largely made available through the UK Data Service. Further details can be found in the CLS Linked Data Policy.

We welcome proposals to perform additional data linkages with external data sources.

If you would like to request a new data linkage, please get in touch with the CLS Records Linkage team (clsrecordslinkage@ucl.ac.uk) to discuss your request. Once you’ve agreed with them, please download and fill in the relevant CLS DAC document below and submit it to CLS.

• CLS data linkage guidelines and application form

Data enhancements

If you would like to submit a proposal for data enhancement, please get in touch with the Principal Investigator (PI) of the relevant study (see details below) to discuss your request. Once you’ve agreed with them, please then download and fill in the relevant CLS DAC document below and submit it to CLS.

Data enhancements may take the form of:

• Additional questionnaire/survey time within an existing survey instrument
• New data collection with an additional survey instrument, either at a sweep or between sweeps
• Digitisation, transcription and/or coding of legacy data: some data collected in earlier sweeps of NCDS and BCS70 cohorts have not yet been digitised from original paper questionnaires. Such legacy data can be digitised and/or processed as a data enhancement project.

Data enhancements may apply to the full sample or to a sub-sample of the cohort. They may relate to collection of new or additional qualitative or quantitative data.

• CLS data enhancement guidelines and application form

1958 National Child Development Study and 1970 British Cohort Study
Prof. George Ploubidis
Email: g.ploubidis@ucl.ac.uk

Next Steps
Dr Morag Henderson
Email: morag.henderson@ucl.ac.uk

Millennium Cohort Study
Prof. Emla Fitzsimons
Email: e.fitzsimons@ucl.ac.uk