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Access to research data

Improving access to high-quality data for science is an overarching goal of the RatSWD and the KonsortSWD

The German Data Forum’s (RatSWD) overarching goal is to improve access to high-quality research data. To this end, the RatSWD mediates between the interests of researchers and producers of data and is responsible for the nationwide coordination of the strategic development of the German research data landscape in the social, behavioural and economic sciences.

Additionally, the RatSWD plays a key role in the initiation and establishment of the standards for collection, storage, provision, and quality assurance of research data. Through combined technical and organizational solution models, researchers are offered user-friendly, quality-assured data access in the provided Research Data Centres (FDZ).

Although the RatSWD has made great progress in improving access to research data, many relevant information sources still lie dormant and remain inaccessible for researchers. One key task of the RatSWD is to expand access to institutional information and datasets, as well as the further development of existing data access. It lays particular focus on subject areas that are relevant for both science and politics.

Currently, the focus is on health data, education data and corporate data, as well as questions about big data and technical data access, especially remote access. The RatSWD also deals with migration data.

In previous appointment periods, the German Data Forum also dealt intensively with geodata and crime statistics.

Health data

Statements

Press releases

Exchange with stakeholders

Events – 9|KSWD

Note: older publications and events on this topic can be found in the archive

Education data

Dialogue with stakeholders

  • Advising policy-makers on data access and further development of education data (ongoing)

RatSWD Working Group

Events

Data about companies

Data from companies

Statements

Big data and unstructured data

Publications

RatSWD Working Groups

Previous thematic focuses Data access

Geodata (2010–2012)

Publications

RatSWD Working Papers

Press releases

RatSWD Working Groups

Events

Crime statistics and legal data (2006–2009, 2017–2020)

Publications

Press releases

RatSWD Working Groups

Events