How to Request Data from DataLinkCT
Getting Started
If you are a policy maker, researcher, analyst, evaluator or other data user and need data from two or more of the DataLinkCT (formerly P20 WIN) Participating Agencies, you may submit a data request. Begin by sending the DataLinkCT staff a brief (one-to-two page) proposal that clearly describes your project, the data you are seeking, and how the work you propose would benefit the state. The DataLinkCT Data Dictionary may be helpful to you in this process.
The Process
The following outlines a summary of the key steps in the data request process. Bear in mind that additional actions are typically needed along the way to ensure that researchers obtain only the data they need and to ensure that data privacy and data security are maintained. For example, a data requester usually needs to participate in multiple conversations with the Operating Group and agencies in order to accurately determine which data elements are needed so that the data requester can complete the data request documentation.
- Data Requester provides Director of Research and Evaluation with a proposal outlining the request and the data needed. The DataLinkCT team reviews the data request and determines viability.
- If the study is feasible, the Data Request Form will be shared with the Data Requester. Data Requester will complete request form and submit for review by the DataLinkCT team. The request form is reviewed for completeness and alignment with established policy guidelines and Learning Agenda.
- Data Governing Board members whose agency’s data are included in the data request determine whether they will allow their data to be included. Each involved agency logs their approval or denial.
- The decision of the Data Governing Board is then communicated to the Data Requester.
- If approved, the data sharing agreement (DSA) is drafted and reviewed for approval and circulated for signature. Additional steps include collecting confidentiality agreements and other related documents necessary to fulfill the data request.
- DataLinkCT staff coordinates the production and secure transmission of data files for the data matching process and provides access to approved Data Users for analysis.
- The Data User conducts analysis using data files and link table.
Important considerations
Support the DataLinkCT Learning Agenda
Data requests must align with either a participating agency’s individual research agenda or DataLinkCT research interests, which are summarized in the Learning Agenda.
Protecting the Data
Data requester must be able to assure the Data Governing Board representatives that they are capable of securing the data during transmission and analysis according to the requirements in the data sharing agreement. See section VI in template Data Sharing Agreement for the Responsibilities of the Data Recipient.
DataLinkCT Data Dictionary
The DataLinkCT Data Dictionary contains elements that are frequently included in data requests to P20 WIN. It is expected that the Participating Agencies will add additional elements as they become available.