| Researcher training courses |
Conducted three to four times annually to prepare applicants to navigate the linked data application and approvals processes. |
| Project complexity |
Development of an algorithm to measure the complexity of linked data projects [19]. |
| Application process |
A standardised and modularised data application process [20]. |
| Family Connections System |
Creating genealogical linkages using data from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and the Midwives Notifications System [21]. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Status Flag |
Creating and validating an algorithm to derive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status using information from multiple data collections [22]. |
| Dataset Quality Statements |
The quality and completeness of the records that are provided to DLB influences the quality of the links that can be made between them. Data Quality Statements provide insight into the characteristics of the many datasets DLB holds, to help users of linked data understand some of the challenges faced in linking them together [15]. |
| Routine geocoding |
Matching address information from linked administrative data collections to reference data, to enable its use for spatial mapping and other applications (e.g., enhancements with national measures of social and locational disadvantage). |
| CARES |
Creating the CARES [17] infrastructure to improve timeframes by streamlining the data delivery process and reducing the burden on data custodians. It is maintained and operated by the Data Delivery Team. |
| DLS3 |
Designing in-house data linkage software (DLS3) [9] that achieves an efficient, adaptable and scalable solution to DLB’s evolving linkage needs. It is developed and maintained by the System’s Team. |
| Data Custodians and Stewards meetings |
Regular Data Custodian and Steward meetings that seek practical solutions to various hot issues that impact the availability and timeliness of linked data, mostly related to policy, legislation, other regulatory developments and resourcing. |
| Road Safety Data Linkage Infrastructure Project |
A partnership with the WA Road Safety Commission to link a number of relevant data sets to enable enhanced road safety research [23]. |
| Target 120 Project |
A State Government election commitment to develop linked data infrastructure that improves the understanding and outcomes for young offenders and their families [24]. DLB oversees the health-related component of a state-level distributed linkage model, and contributes linked health data and family connections to the resulting service database, the Social Investment Data Resource (SIDR). |
| Renal Demand Modelling Project |
An ongoing Department of Health service planning initiative to achieve a more accurate, valid and reliable data set for renal service planning across WA. |
| Developmental Pathways Project |
Inaugural linkages of a number of social services data collections, enabling linked data analysis to “investigate risk and protective factors that lead to differences in developmental outcomes for children and youth” [25]. |
| Department of Health core business |
The use of linkage keys for non-research core Department of Health business, including public health monitoring, service evaluations, modelling, waitlist management and development of key performance indicators. |
