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Connecting researchers to public sector data

We work with researchers, analysts and policymakers to unlock the potential of public sector data for the benefit of public good.

Explore what we do

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Metadata catalogue

The RDS metadata catalogue collates information on health, social care and administrative datasets published by various public sector organisations across Scotland.

Search the metadata catalogue for datasets that researchers from approved organisations can apply to access.

 

Find datasets

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    About Research Data Scotland

    We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation created and funded by the Scottish Government, and a partnership between leading universities and public bodies.
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    Simplifying access to data

    Our vision is to advance health and social wellbeing in Scotland by simplifying access to public sector data.
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    Innovation and engagement

    Our growing number of projects centre on improving the ways researchers access data and building public trust.

Recent news

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Learning and collaborating: Highlights from Scottish data events

As part of our work in engaging with Scotland’s data community, Research Data Scotland (RDS) attend a range of events and conferences to raise the profile of our work and hear from others in the data community. We caught up with colleagues to find out what they’ve learnt from recent events and how their insights will help develop RDS’s work.

Research Data Scotland

22 Nov 2023

ADR Scotland logo on a green background

RDS joins ADR Scotland Programme

Research Data Scotland (RDS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Scottish Government, detailing how the organisation will help to deliver core elements of the ADR Scotland programme.

Research Data Scotland

13 Nov 2023

The data access process

Find out more

Learn about data

Want to know more about data but don’t know where to start?

Explore our handy data explainers to learn what public sector data is, how it's kept safe and how it’s used in research.

Read our data explainers Read our data explainers
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