The Administrative Data Research Network was an ESRC-funded project that ran from October 2013 to July 2018. It is currently at the end of its funding cycle and is no longer taking applications. Administrative data research will be taken forward in a new project, to be launched later in 2018.

This archival website reflects the state of play at the end of the project in July 2018. All content has been frozen and may not be up to date.

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HomePolicies and proceduresProtecting privacy

Protecting Privacy

The nature of administrative data means some data collections may contain sensitive information on for example, the income, health or financial circumstances of individuals or households.

However, as researchers are looking at the bigger picture created by data, this information was removed before access is granted. 

The ADRN established strict procedures and protocols based on best practice and legislation to protect people’s privacy and de-identify the data before it was used for research.

Access was only granted to administrative data when information directly identifying an individual, household or business had been removed.

De-identification

Administrative data collections may contain sensitive information on the income, health or financial circumstances of individuals or households. The ADRN had strict procedures in place to protect people’s privacy.

The ADRN only granted access to administrative data when information directly identifying an individual, household or business had been removed.

De-identifying data removed information such as:

  • names
  • full addresses
  • exact date of birth
  • National Insurance number
  • National Health Service number
  • tax reference number

Different data collections can be linked to carry out your research. We worked with trusted third parties to match data independently, safely and without compromising an individual’s identity.

Find out more about the de-identification process in this video:


Page last updated: 30/07/2018