Research, Analysis, Evidence
UCD Geary DataLab
The DataLab provides a facility to analyse confidential data in a secure environment. For example, certain datasets from CSO or Eurostat are required to be kept securely while being analysed for research purposes. The DataLab provides an office with two computers in Geary that have been locked down to satisfy the criteria of data owners. The computers can be booked to allow researcher to work and analyse their data.
How to get data
The Irish Social Science Data Archive (ISSDA) is Ireland’s leading centre for quantitative data acquisition, preservation, and dissemination. All data disseminated by ISSDA have undergone rigorous checks to ensure that they have been fully anonymised (“Anonymised Microdata Files” – AMFs), thus protecting individual data confidentiality. Key datasets include Growing up in Ireland, Survey of Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), Household Budget Survey, the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, etc. A full list is available from ISSDA data list. To apply for datasets from ISSDA simply complete the application form available from the ISSDA website. For more details please email ISSDA.
If you require access to more detailed or confidential data you will need to apply for a “Research Microdata File” (RMF) directly to the statistical agency that owns and controls the data (e.g. CSO). The application procedure can be quite lengthy and the data supplied can only be accessed in a secure environment such as that offered by the UCD Geary DataLab. Some of the details required for the application procedure are listed below. If you have further questions or require clarification email GearyTech.
The Setup
Strong passwords are enforced, with a minimum 8 characters with letters, numbers and punctuation.