A strategic approach to data development and data sharing in the social sciences

During the past few years there has been a new emphasis on the potential for linking administrative data sources. The untapped potential of administrative data was flagged up in the influential Allsopp Review (2003). This presentation considers the potential benefits of using such data linkages, provides examples of current initiatives and considers the scope for further work in this area. Potential problems in data linkage are considered under three main headings: statistical issues: legal issues; and other barriers.