Introduction to Administrative Data Research and Analysis (IADRA)

Current Status

Price

£120.00

Get Started

The IADRA course gives a full introduction to administrative data research. Pre-recorded lectures provide an understanding of key administrative data research topics alongside live virtual practical sessions offering hands-on experience using R to prepare and analyse synthetic administrative data.

PLEASE NOTE – This course is now fully booked. If you wish to join the waiting list, please complete the registration form and we will contact you if a place becomes available.

COURSE PRE-REQUISITE – Some experience or familiarity with R / R-Studio.

Course supporting materials/resources

Introduction to Administrative Data Research and Analysis (IADRA) – ADR Scotland

OVERVIEW

The Introduction to Administrative Data Research and Analysis (IADRA) course gives a full introduction to working with administrative data. IADRA participants will learn how to understand, access and prepare linked administrative data for analysis.

The IADRA course combines pre-recorded lectures on key administrative data research topics alongside practical exercises using synthetic data from the Scottish Longitudinal Study. The practical aspects of the course will provide opportunity to gain hands-on experience using R to manipulate and analyse a complex administrative dataset in R.

DELIVERY

The course will run online for four weeks, from Monday 26th October to Friday 20th November 2026:

Week 1 – 26/10/2026 – 30/10/2026
Week 2 – 02/11/2026 – 06/11/2026
Week 3 – 09/11/2026 – 13/11/2026
Week 4 – 16/11/2026 – 20/11/2026

ACCESS

Course materials will be made available via Microsoft Teams/Sharepoint and participants will be given access to course materials at the start of each week. Materials include links to recorded lectures, slides and other online resources.

Materials for the weekly practical exercises will be accessed via a dedicated IADRA R-Studio server, and will allow participants to apply and practice the techniques learned in the course.

LIVE SESSIONS

In addition to the videos and practical exercises, there will be a live practical lab session on Teams each week, where participants can work through the practical exercises during the session with support from experienced tutors.

Additionally, weekly ‘Researcher Q&A’ sessions provide the opportunity to hear from experienced researchers, who will talk about their experiences of working with admin data, and take questions on all aspects of admin data research.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The IADRA course would be of interest for anyone new to working with admin data, including PhD students, academic researchers and those working in the public service sector.

PRACTICAL SESSION TUTORS

Ana Morales, Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh. Ana Morales – ADR Scotland
Michelle Jamieson, Research Fellow, Edinburgh Napier University. Michelle K Jamieson – ADR Scotland
Jan Savinc, Research Fellow, Edinburgh Napier University. Jan Savinc – ADR Scotland

Skills area(s)

Data Privacy and Stewardship; Definition, Acquisition, Engineering, Architect, Storage and Curation; Problem Solving, Analysis, Statistical Modelling, Visualisation;

Learning outcomes

· Ensuring the Protection of Personal and Sensitive Data;

· Managing Sensitive Data;

· Data Collection and Management;

· Data Engineering;

· Problem Definition and Communication with Stakeholders;

· Data Analysis and Model Building;

· Understanding of key admin data concepts

· Awareness of current UK admin data landscape (e.g. data sources, access procedures)

· Knowledge of methods and approaches to prepare and analyse admin data

· Increased confidence working with admin data (in R / R-Studio)

· Improved understanding of admin data research field by engaging with current admin data researchers