Research Support

The role of the NISRA Research Support Unit (RSU) is to allow researchers safe access to project specific de-identified data in a secure environment in order to carry out secondary data analysis. 

For Secure Room bookings, please follow this link

The Colby House Secure Room will close at 3pm on Wednesday 18th December and reopen on Tuesday 7th January. 

NISRA Research Support Unit

The role of the NISRA Research Support Unit (RSU) is to allow researchers safe access to project specific de-identified data in a secure environment in order to carry out secondary data analysis.  Access to the data is governed by protocols and procedures to ensure data confidentiality.  Researchers are supported by RSU through the application, accreditation, analysis and output processes.

The RSU is accredited under the Digital Economy Act

The RSU provides support to researchers accessing the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS), the Northern Ireland Mortality Study (NIMS), and data through Administrative Data Research NI (ADR NI).

 

Research Pathways

  • 'Health' only data projects: Projects requiring only 'health data' proceed under the Honest Broker Service processes.
  • 'Health' and RG data projects: Projects requiring 'health' and RG data (e.g. Census/GRO data) proceed under Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS) processes under the Census Act (NI) 1969.
  • 'Health' linked to other NICS departmental datasets: There is currently no legal gateway in Northern Ireland for projects using a combination of 'health' and other public-body data
  • 'Non-Health' data projects: Projects requiring 'non-health data' proceed under processes laid out under the Digital Economy Act 2017 research clauses (See Administrative Data Research NI or NILS for more details).

 

Please note: if there is anything within these webpages that you do not find accurate or complete, please contact RSU on the following email.

Contact Details:

Research Support Unit
Colby House
Stranmillis Court
BELFAST
BT9 5RR

Telephone: +44(0) 28 90 388488

Email: rsu@nisra.gov.uk

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Information for Data Providers

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Accredited Researcher Process

In order to access either NILS or ADR NI microdata the researcher and research team must hold accredited researcher status

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Administrative Data Research Northern Ireland (ADR NI)

ADR NI supports the acquisition, linking and analysis of administrative data sets to improve knowledge, policymaking and public service delivery

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Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS)

Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study microdata are available resources for a variety of research studies

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Partners and Funding

The NILS and ADR NI work in partnership with a range of academic and government institutions

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Staff

Meet the Research Support Team

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NISRA-led Research

The ADR-NI Administrative Research Unit (ARU) is responsible for carrying out government-led research on behalf of NI government departments.

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Administrative Data Research Northern Ireland (ADR NI) themed datasets

The ADR NI is working with partners to develop a number of themed datasets for accredited researchers.

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