Population Data British Columbia: A data resource for research

Abstract

Population Data BC (PopData) was established as a multi-university data and education resource to support training and education, data linkage and access to individual level, de-identified data for research in a wide variety of areas including human and community development and well-being. A combination of deterministic and probabilistic linkage is conducted based on the quality and availability of identifiers for data linkage. PopData utilizes a harmonized data request and approval process for data stewards and researchers to increase efficiency and ease of access to linked data. Researchers access linked data through a secure research environment (SRE) that is equipped with a wide variety of tools for analysis. The SRE also allows ongoing management and control of data. PopData continues to expand its data holdings and to evolve its services as well as governance and data access process.