FOR DATA PROVIDERS

Population Data BC is a resource for the research community in BC, and also aims to be a resource for the Province's Data Stewards. Population Data BC can benefit a Data Provider who needs support in:

• archival backup
• managing data requests
• interfacing with the research community

This page is meant to provide Data Stewards with information they need when first hearing of Population Data BC. Please contact our Data Sourcing Lead for more detailed information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Population Data BC and what do you do?

Population Data BC was established to set up a hub for cross-sectoral, longitudinal, population-wide research. In terms of data resources, we seek to hold population-wide individual-level data, to develop linkages among these data, and to support research access to these data. We also support researchers by providing training in the use of the data.

Who funds Population Data BC?

Our primary funders are the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the BC Ministry of Advanced Education (through the BC Knowledge Development Fund.)

Who is accountable for Population Data BC?

The Executive Director is guided by consensus from the Advisory Board which is comprised of Partner/Collaborator organizations who hold data - such as CHSPR, HELP, EduData and SOEH.

How can we monitor Population Data BC's use of the data to ensure it is being used as contractually agreed upon?

All usage of the data will be regulated by an Information Sharing Agreement with the data provider which will outline how the provider can monitor the use of the data on an individual basis. This will include regular reports and is outlined further in Population Data BC's Audit Policy.

Who will be accessing the data?

• Researcher access to data will be approved by the Data Steward for a holding using a harmonized Research Agreement process through Population Data BC.
• Named programmers have access to Identifiers to perform linkages on intake only. Content Data are stored on a separate server, and are accessed by named programmers to perform Research Extracts as defined through a Research Agreement. In no cases are Content Data and Identifiers brought back together. This separation of information safeguards the privacy of personal information.
• Staff in Researcher Liaison work with the Researcher to define Cohorts and therefore will have access to Content Data. Researcher Liaison staff have no access to Identifiers.

What is the risk of exposure?

Risk of exposure is significantly lower than that of most Data Providers as we separate Identifiers from Content Data.

How can we monitor your security?

A section on security requirements and compliance monitoring is a standard part of our Information Sharing Agreements.

What is the benefit to us of having Population Data BC hold data that is under our stewardship?

We can benefit a Data Provider who needs:

• Researcher access to valuable population wide data in a secure and privacy sensitive manner
• Trusted Third Party for linkage

Do we at any time relinquish stewardship of the data by storing it at Population Data BC?

No, as a Data Steward  you maintain stewardship of the data and approve all data access requests from researchers.