6.6 Data Linkage Possibilities for Cohort 08 at 3

As noted in earlier chapters, the CSO has established protocols for linking some

existing administrative datasets such as income and receipt of social welfare

payments. This section instead considers a wider set of datasets that may be

available to link to the Growing Up in Ireland dataset. The advantage of data linkage

is that it allows researchers to access a wider range of information about the

household or individual child without increasing the burden on respondents. Some

information, such as water or air quality, may be unknown to the respondent in any

case.

Factors to consider in evaluating linkage to a particular dataset include the potential

for statistical disclosure and the structural characteristics of the dataset, in terms of

coverage and the existing format (e.g. how are individuals identified: name, PPS,

eircode etc). It also depends on the agreement and co-operation of the data

controller for the other dataset.

Family context