NILS: An Introduction

Rónán Adams

NILS User Forum11th December 2009

What is The NILS?

• Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS)• Managed in “safe setting” at NISRA HQ• 28% Sample of N.I. population• Database of administrative records linked over time • Drawn from Health Card Registration Data• Linked to other datasets (2001 Census, Vital events)

• Northern Ireland Mortality Study (NIMS)• 100% of deaths in N.I. 2001-2007 linked to

2001 Census

Establishing The NILS

• Funded by HSC R&D function of the Public Health Agency

• Managed Under Census legislation

• Research Proposal initiated in 2003

• Launched December 2006

• Data Custodian is Registrar General for N.I.

NILS Security- ‘Secure Data, Safe Setting’

• Supervised “safe setting” for researchers -NILS RSU • All datasets completely anonymised• Closed network• Strict Disclosure Control Policy• I.T. Security, Data managed by Core NILS (NISRA) staff• Security Agreements & NILS Licence• Legal Approval-Data Transfer Agreements• Ethical Approval

Management of The NILS

• NILS Steering Group (SG)– Responsible for Strategic Direction

• NILS Research Approvals Group (RAG)– Manage Research Applications Process

• NILS User Forum– Input from researchers– Represented on SG

• NILS Research Support Unit (RSU)– ESRC funded. Established April 2009– Expert support for NILS researchers. Assist with applications,

analysis, NILS promotion, upholding NILS security

NILS Research-Some Examples

• ‘Predicting Short Run Changes in Fertility in Northern Ireland’

• ‘Mortality amongst residents of nursing and residential homes in Northern Ireland’

• ‘Describing and Modelling Internal Migration in N.I. 2001-2006 using the NILS: Individuals, Households and

Places’.

• Breast Screening Exemplar Project

NILS-RSU Contact Details

• Do you have an idea for a NILS Project?

– Michael Rosato 028 9082 8210

– Gemma Catney 028 9034 8199

– Email: nils-rsu@qub.ac.uk

– Website: www.qub.ac.uk/nils