1. What is the beta test?
The beta test stage of the project to link Census 2021 data to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Longitudinal Study (LS) is the final test stage before release of the new LS Research Database. During this stage, a select group of researchers will run approved projects using the new data to assess whether the new database is fit for purpose.
The beta test stage of the project has two primary objectives:
to test the 2021 data for accuracy, comparability and consistency through active analytical use
to use the feedback from test participants to inform the decision whether to release the database to the wider research community
2. How will the beta test projects be selected?
Projects will be assessed against the selection criteria by the Selection Panel.
The Panel consists of members of staff from the ONS, a member of staff from the Scottish Longitudinal Study (SLS) and one from the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS), and a senior member of the Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support (CeLSIUS) at University College London (UCL). An independent observer will likely also attend this meeting to ensure the selection process is fair and transparent.
3. How do I apply to take part in the beta test?
You need to complete a beta test expression of interest form, which will be available on the beta test webpage from December 2022.
Your form should address the selection criteria listed on this webpage. The deadline for applications is end-January 2023. Applications should be sent to the ONS LS team at: LongitudinalStudy@ons.gov.uk
4. Can researchers based overseas apply to take part in the beta test?
To be part of the beta test researchers will need to be based in the UK.
5. What happens after I submit my application?
You will receive an email in March 2023 notifying you of whether or not you have been successful.
If successful, you will need to complete an approved researcher application (if you are not already an approved researcher); you will also need to complete the full project application forms and submit them for approval.
You will be invited to a virtual meeting before the start of the beta test where more information will be given.
We do not yet have a date for when the live running of the beta test will begin but will update the webpage as soon as we have more information.
You will be expected to report progress and any issues found as they arise to the ONS during the live running.
6. What are the main dates for the beta test?
The main dates for the beta test are on the beta test webpage.
7. How many beta test projects will there be?
It is dependent on how many of the applications we receive meet the selection criteria. However, we anticipate being able to support up to 10 projects.
8. What will I gain by taking part in the beta test?
By taking part, you will get:
early access to a unique and rich data source; results can be shared beyond the accredited project team members, CeLSIUS and the ONS only once all beta test work is completed
the opportunity to disseminate research as part of the public launch of the new database
dedicated user support from experienced and knowledgeable teams at CeLSIUS and the ONS
opportunities for knowledge exchange and impact by contributing to ONS census work
9. What are the commitments of taking part in the beta test?
The commitments of the beta test are not onerous but the ONS will require the following:
completion of necessary administrative processes prior to the beta test
attendance at a virtual meeting before the start of the beta test
engagement with a formal process to notify the ONS of any anomalies or errors in the data
attendance at progress meetings
commitment of research resource to thoroughly test the data
completion of a short "end of test" report to feed into the review and sign-off of the database
10. How big can project teams be?
There is no limit on the size of project teams but each one should contain at least one experienced LS user. Preference may be given to teams also including a user with little or no experience and teams with collaboration between academic groups and government departments or other relevant external agencies. We may match teams together if they have overlapping interests.
11. Can I be a named researcher on more than one project?
Yes.
12. Will the ONS provide funding to project teams?
No, all projects will need to be self-funded.
13. Where will progress meetings be held?
The ONS will try to be as flexible as possible when arranging progress meetings and will take a hybrid approach, combining face-to-face and virtual meetings.
14. Why do I have to apply to be an Accredited Researcher for each project I undertake using the Longitudinal Study?
Accreditation as an Accredited Researcher provides a temporary lawful authority under the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, which allows the use of a particular set of personal information (in this case LS microdata) held by the UK Statistics Authority for a stated piece of statistical research.
All members of the project team will need to be an Accredited Researcher as outputs will only be cleared at pre-publication level until such a time that results can be shared more widely. This is because the data being used are in the beta test phase and are not more widely available at the time of beta testing. New LS members are encouraged but will need to apply to be an Accredited Researcher as part of the process.
More about accessing the LS microdata in the SRS is shown in Question 20.
15. I want to be involved in the beta test but I do not have any experience of using the Longitudinal Study; how can I take part?
If you want to be involved in the beta test but do not have any experience of using the LS or know anybody who does then please email the ONS LS team at LongitudinalStudy@ons.gov.uk and we will try to find you a project team that you can become a part of.
16. All projects require an experienced Longitudinal Study user to be part of the project team. Do they need to attend every meeting?
Not necessarily. In general project teams could consist of several people doing the necessary research work with the experienced LS user(s) providing guidance and reviewing analysis.
17. How can I collaborate with a government department on my beta test project?
If you are interested in a collaboration but need help, please email the ONS LS team at LongitudinalStudy@ons.gov.uk with details of your project and we will try to assist you as best we can with the process and contacts. It will be for the government department to decide whether they have the resources and time available to be able to collaborate with you on your beta test project.
18. How will projects be supported?
Each project team will be supported by a User Support Officer (USO) either from within the ONS or from CeLSIUS (more information about CeLSIUS can be found in Question 19).
USOs have a large amount of experience of supporting researchers using the LS. USOs will:
provide guidance on filling in the application form and approved researcher form
extract the data you need from the full LS database
provide guidance on the LS and the data you will need to fully answer your research question
check and clear outputs for release
if need be, run your already tested code on the data if you cannot make it to the SRS
19. Who are CeLSIUS?
CeLSIUS is the Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support. They are based at the University College London (UCL) and provide user support for UK academics and the UK statutory and voluntary sectors wishing to use the LS. More information is available on the CeLSIUS website.
20. How will we get access to the Longitudinal Study data?
Access to the data will be via the Secure Research Service (SRS) at one of the ONS's offices or another SRS approved location, either at:
your institution via Assured Organisational Connectivity (AOC) agreement
Titchfield, Hampshire
Newport, South Wales
21. How do Scotland and Northern Ireland fit into the beta test process?
National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for the Scottish Longitudinal Study (SLS) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) is responsible for the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS).
More information on the beta tests in Scotland and Northern Ireland will be made available at a later date by NRS and NISRA respectively.
Representatives from NRS and NISRA sit on the Selection Panel, which will select the beta test projects. They will therefore see any projects that would like to look at UK-wide longitudinal study data and be able to offer advice and assistance on accessing their data separately.
22. Do Scotland and Northern Ireland have an equivalent of the Secure Research Service and where are they located?
Yes, more details about how to access the data in the Scottish Longitudinal Study (SLS) and Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS) will be made available when they launch their beta tests.
23. How do I answer the census imputation question on the expression of interest form?
There will be a flag that indicates if a variable has been imputed or not. One example of testing the impact of imputation used by researchers at the last Census was to run their analysis twice- once with the imputation flag variables included, and once with them excluded to compare the results and assess the impact. This does not have to be the method but is an example of how it can be achieved. Please note there are some variables that have not been imputed (such as sexual orientation and gender identity as they were voluntary questions).
24. Do all projects need to include the new questions introduced in Census 2021?
It is not a requirement to include the new questions as part of your project. The project can aim to test the effect of imputation on any of the 2021 census variables.
25. Who can I contact if I have any questions about this beta test?
Please email the ONS LS team at: LongitudinalStudy@ons.gov.uk