Advances in Longitudinal Survey Methodology

6Understanding Data Linkage Consent in Longitudinal Surveys

Annette Jäckle¹, Kelsey Beninger², Jonathan Burton¹, and Mick P. Couper³

¹Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Colchester, UK

²IFF Research, London, UK

³Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

6.1 Introduction

Linking data from longitudinal surveys to administrative records (whether held by government or private entities) is an increasingly attractive option for several reasons. First, the rising costs of survey data collection and declining response rates require researchers to look elsewhere to supplement or replace survey data. Second, the increasing demand for more detailed and timely data raises concerns about respondent burden. Third, the increasing availability of digital data from a variety of sources, along with the development of improved tools for data linkage and protections against disclosure opens up new opportunities. The various ways in which administrative data can be used, whether to replace or enhance surveys, are detailed elsewhere (e.g. Calderwood and Lessof 2009; Gates 2011; Groves and Harris‐Kojetin 2017, pp. 33–34). We take as given that the demand for administrative data linkage in surveys is likely to increase.

Administrative data linkage is not without challenges. A key one is that of obtaining informed consent for respondents to link their survey data to administrative records. While some statistical agencies (e.g. Statistics ...