Roundtable: The Promise of Integrated Data Systems
(Tools of Analysis: Methods, Data, Informatics and Research Design)

Friday, November 4, 2016: 10:15 AM-11:45 AM
Columbia 11 (Washington Hilton)

*Names in bold indicate Presenter

Roundtable Organizers:  Steven P Ryan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Moderators:  Laura Feeney, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Speakers:  Kathy Stack, Laura and John Arnold Foundation, Amy O'Hara, U.S. Census Bureau, Dennis Culhane, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Dayanand Manoli, University of Texas, Austin

While administrative data are a promising resource, it can be challenging for researchers and evaluators to access these data, particularly if different records are held by different agencies. Negotiating data use agreements, signing memoranda of understanding, submitting requests, and linking records can be time-consuming and expensive. Across North America, a number of governments have developed integrated data systems to address these issues and to facilitate access to administrative data. Integrated data systems store and link records from multiple agencies, and are governed by representatives from these agencies who follow procedures put in place to ensure that data is accessible without compromising quality or security. This roundtable will focus on the promise of integrated data in facilitating research, evaluating programs, and developing plans. The roundtable will feature advocates for data integration, government officials with experience administering integrated data systems, and academics whose randomized evaluations has been made possible through these systems.