Information for researchers

Application to use excluded variables from the April 2010 dataset

In April 2010 we released the baseline questionnaire data (n=266,848) of participants from The 45 and Up Study.There are some variables from the questionnaire, and additional information about participants that could be useful to researchers, but that we have not released.

These restrictions ensure the privacy of participants by limiting the provision of data that could make them identifiable. For example, postal area could be used in conjunction with other information to identify persons with rare conditions (i.e. small cell sizes).

Where possible, we have provided other data in place that should suit the needs of the majority of researchers, but we recognise that some researchers may have legitimate scientific requirements to access these data. These variables and the process for requesting them are listed below. Alternatives to these variables that may meet researcher’s requirements are also provided below.

Requests for access to these data will be reviewed on a project by project basis. Charges may also be allocated for access to these data to recover costs of extracting or deriving special data. This will be project specific and a quote will be provided.

Please note that certain data may be excluded if there is a risk of compromising the confidentiality of our participants.

Date of birth

Date of birth for participants will not be provided with questionnaire data. As an alternative age at recruitment (to one decimal place) and exact date of recruitment are provided; this should be sufficient for most purposes (e.g. calculating person time).

Aboriginal status

Aboriginal status of participants can also be provided. A request to access this information should be sent to 45andUp@saxinstitute.org.au for existing approved projects, or specifically stated in the Stage 1/2 application for new projects. In your request please provide a rationale for access to this information. You are also required to seek approval from the Ethics Committee of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) if one or more of the following apply to your project:

  • The experience of Aboriginal people is an explicit focus of all or part of the research; or
  • Data collection is explicitly directed at Aboriginal peoples; or
  • Aboriginal peoples, as a group, are to be examined in the results; or
  • The information has an impact on one or more Aboriginal communities; or
  • Aboriginal health funds are a source of funding.

We will require confirmation from the AH&MRC that you have been granted approval for use of Aboriginal status information. If your planned use of Aboriginal status information does not require you to seek approval from the AH&MRC we require written assurance of this fact, and that you will seek AH&MRC approval if your research changes and meets the above criteria. In this case, your request will be reviewed internally by the 45 and Up Study Coordinating Centre. Additional requirements for access to Aboriginal status information may be developed over time and as such, all requests to access this information will be reviewed on a project by project basis.

Residential postcode

Residential postcode for participants at the time they completed the baseline questionnaire can be provided. We have provided the latest area-based measures of socioeconomic status (SEIFA) and remoteness (ARIA+) for each participant. Assigning these area measures is the most common use of residential postal area. Other location references (e.g. Statistical Local Area, Census Collector District, Area Health Service) are available as well. Requests for this type of information should be sent to 45andUp@saxinstitute.org.au for existing approved projects, or specifically stated in the Stage 1/2 application for new projects. Please provide a rationale for requiring this information. Residential location according to larger areas (e.g. SLA, Postal Area, AHS) will be reviewed internally by the 45 and Up Study Coordinating Centre. Small-area level location information will be reviewed by the 45 and Up Study Access Committee.

Geocoding

Geocoding of participants contact location has been undertaken to provide additional information about their geographic location. The exact geocoded location reference is reversibly identifiable, and so we would prefer to provide a ‘fuzzed’ location value, or process location with other data layers and provide the derived information. It may be possible to provide the exact geocoded reference, but there should be a strong rationale for this.  A request to access this information should be sent to 45andUp@saxinstitute.org.au for existing approved projects, or specifically stated in the Stage 1/2 application for new projects. In your request please provide a rationale for requiring this information. Location according to exact references will be reviewed by the 45 and Up Study Access Committee.

Free text

Free text data are also available on request. A request to access this information should be sent to 45andUp@saxinstitute.org.au. In your request please specify which data are being requested as well as a rationale for requiring this information.

To contact the 45 and Up Study Coordinating Centre, please phone 1300 45 11 45 or email.