Data access quick guide
ALSWH data is available to bona-fide researchers for non-commercial use. There are three types of data:
Core datasets | Full survey datasets | Linked datasets |
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Description | Contains most survey data, except: - Sensitive variables removed or capped - Derived/ summary variables (including scale scores) provided without the original items - No dates (only birth year and survey year) - Minimum cell size =10 more information | Includes all individual ALSWH survey items, derived variables and scale scores. Additional datasets can also be requested: - Qualitative responses (free text comments) - Medications - Birth Events (1989-95 & 1973-78 cohorts) - Dietary measures - Geographic measures - Environmental measures - MatCH (Mothers and their Children’s Health) Substudy | National and state administrative health records: - Medicare - Deaths - Cancer - Aged care - Hospital admissions - Emergency department presentations - Perinatal records Also available: - Common Conditions form Multiple Sources (CCMS) - Educational records for MatCH children |
Suitable for | - Most topics and analysis methods - Student projects - Short time frames - Exploratory analyses to work up a full application | All projects | - Experienced researchers (students cannot lead linked data projects) - Longer time frames - Analyses of health service use - Case ascertainment - Validation of self-reported data |
Apply ![]() | Australian Data Archive (ADA) No closing date | ALSWH data users online portal (Draft form: ALSWH EoI proforma_October 2024) Application closing dates | ![]() |
Approval time | ~2 weeks | ~2 months | Add 2-6+ months for external approvals |
Project Liaison | N/A | An ALSWH Project Liaison must review your application pre- submission and provide ongoing advice | Your ALSWH Project Liaison must also be a collaborator on the project |
Review | Brief review by ALSWH DAC | Full review by ALSWH DAC | External HREC and/or data custodian review may also be required |
Data use agreements | ADA | ALSWH | External agreements must also be signed |
Data delivery | Download from ADA (No fees apply) | Directly to researcher (No fees apply) | Access limited to: - ALSWH sites (UQ/UoN); you are responsible for travel arrangements/ expenses - Remotely, within Australia, via SURE; you are responsible for fees and organising access at your own institution (no ALSWH fees apply) |
Approval period | No time limit | No specific time limit* | 2 years (extensions may be requested) |
Reporting | Minimal (via email) | Annual progress reports must be completed in the ALSWH data users portal *Inactive projects may be closed |
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Outputs (Includes journal articles, reports and presentations) | - Include standard ALSWH acknowledgement - Advise ALSWH when published or presented | - Tables: no cell size <10 - Include standard ALSWH acknowledgement - Drafts must be reviewed by ALSWH Project Liaison - Advise ALSWH when published or presented | Additional requirements: - Acknowledge external data custodians - Pre-publication review by data custodian/s may also be required |
Project close | Your datasets should be maintained as per NHMRC guidelines | - Submit final report - Datasets should be maintained as per NHMRC guidelines | - UQ/UoN: Project datasets securely archived at site - SURE: Archiving / destruction arranged directly with SURE (additional fees may apply) |
HREC = Human Research Ethics Committee
UQ = The University of Queensland (Australian Women and Girls' Health Research Centre, School of Public Health, Herston)
UoN = The University of Newcastle (Centre for Women's Health Research, Hunter MRI)