Accessing unpublished data
Services for researchers, statisticians and analysts
Unpublished survey data, known as microdata, are a valuable resource that is used by public bodies, research organisations and academic researchers for statistical research and analysis.
Access to microdata files – that is, unit record information - or data abstracts is provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), either via the dataset’s individual service or through the Access to ONS data service. Details can be found on the respective web pages.
All access to microdata, or disclosive data abstracts, requires the approval of the Microdata Release Panel (MRP). Users may be required to comply with specific access conditions before data are provided. Arrangements for accessing unpublished data may vary according to the type and level of the data; the source and design of the data; the customer; and legislative disclosure provisions.
ONS is committed to protecting the confidentiality of the data. Access to data will only be provided where the confidentiality guarantees given to survey respondents are met, the governing legislation and the National Statistics Code of Practice and Protocols permit.
On 1 April 2008, the Statistics and Registration Services Act 2007 came into force and led ONS to review its data access practices to ensure that they are in line with this new legislation.
The 2007 Act specifies exemptions to the non-disclosure rules. These exemptions permit personal (including corporate bodies) information to be disclosed where, for example, the disclosure is required or permitted by any enactment, where it is made with the consent of the person to whom it relates, or where it is made to an ‘approved researcher’. The first two exemptions existed prior to 1 April 2008, but the last one is a new concept and one for which arrangements have been developed by ONS.
Customers can also access microdata from the UK Data Archive (UKDA). ONS deposits microdata from most of the social surveys at the UKDA, as well as anonymised data from the 2001 Census.
Microdata can be downloaded from the UKDA in 2 ways: (i) an end-user licence (EUL) to gain access to the basic, standard data or (ii) Approved Researcher accreditation to gain access to detailed but anonymised 'special licence' data (prior to 1.4.08, these data were available via the ONS Special Licence (SL)). All applications for detailed data must be approved by the MRP.
The UKDA has also introduced a new commissioned service and details can be found on the UKDA website.
Notes:
For details on accessing data through a dataset’s individual service, see the social survey, census, business, and vital events data pages in the Related links.
For further information about accessing unpublished ONS data or to submit a CRF, please email access2data@ons.gsi.gov.uk.
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Unpublished data