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Finding and reusing research data

It is increasingly common to make research data openly available. This web-page provides you with pointers on how to find and re-use open data for research or for your master's thesis.

Research data is made available through various research data archives and registers, which increases the possibilities for reuse and re-distribution.

When planning a research project, or in writing your master's thesis, check to see if there is openly available research data which you can reuse, or register data might be accessible. Is there data that you can use alongside your own data? Perhaps you can base your master's thesis exclusively on previously gathered information?

Surveybanken (the Survey Bank)

Provides access to over 3 000 surveys and 750 000 questions carried out in Norway from 1957 until now.
Access for all.

Search Surveybanken

Search engines for research data

Search engines wich covers multiple data archives

Google Dataset Search
DataCite (harvests metadata from among others our own archive, DataverseNO.
Mendeley Data

For search tips and more information about the different search engines, see tutorial videos below.

Video tutorials

GoogleDataSet Search

DataCite Commons

Mendeley Data

Register data

Register data refers to information about the Norwegian population that is primarily collected for administrative purposes. These data can be repurposed for various uses, such as research. Register data may originate from sources such as the National Population Register, the Norwegian Tax Administration, NAV, the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen), the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the Norwegian Patient Registry, the Prescription Database, and many others.

Good reasons to reuse register data in research

The data is comprehensive. It covers the entire population and is not limited to a sample.
The data is highly accurate and of high quality.
Precise dating of data points makes it possible to track groups over time.
The data has already been collected. Gathering large amounts of data is costly and complex.
The data is suitable either as a primary source, as contextual data, or for checking sample bias.

Four ways to utilize register data

Open official statistics:
Platforms such as the Kommunehelsa statistics bank, Public Health in Municipalities, and statistics from the Norwegian Directorate of Health, NAV, and others provide access to register data for generating anonymous descriptive statistics. International organizations like UNESCO and the World Bank also maintain large cross-country data archives.
Access without application via microdata.no:
Users can link datasets themselves, define populations, and generate anonymous statistics and analytical results.
Statistics upon request (so-called “Commissioned statistics”):
You can order anonymous descriptive statistics from Statistics Norway (SSB) or the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)/Helsedataservice, with customized breakdowns and counts.
Application-based access for research purposes:
This typically involves sensitive data linked to personal identification numbers. Applications must be submitted to SSB, FHI, or both. This process may require approvals and a well-developed data management plan for secure storage and analysis, for example using TSD (Services for Sensitive Data). Assistance from IT-forskningsstøtte@inn.no is required, and INN’s Data Protection Services may also be involved. This option is not suitable for students.

Microdata.no

Provides access to registry data from Statistics Norway (SSB) for staff and master's students.
To gain access, you must first register for an individual account.

Ask for access to Microdata