Use of SHARE data in the study process – a valuable resource for promoting data literacy and analysis

SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) is a research project conducted in 28 countries, including Latvia. Within this international study, more than 616,000 interviews have already been carried out with respondents, providing a broad evidence base on the processes of population ageing and their influencing factors, covering the fields of health, economics, demography, and social support.

At the international level, data obtained in the SHARE project are used by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the World Bank. For example, the World Bank has used data to determine migration flows. Meanwhile, at the level of the European Union, researchers from the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs use the data to obtain additional information on pension and long-term healthcare expenditures.

In Latvia, the use of SHARE data is becoming increasingly popular – students use these data when developing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral theses, while researchers use them when implementing postdoctoral grants and producing scientific publications.

The SHARE dataset can serve as a valuable resource for fostering data literacy, particularly in the study process within both health and social science programs, as well as in the preparation of final theses. The SHARE data centre provides access to a simplified dataset called "easySHARE", which is designed for users who do not have in-depth knowledge or skills in statistical analysis of quantitative data or in working with big datasets. The "easySHARE" dataset includes information such as respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics, quality of life and depression scale indicators, personality traits, body mass index, smoking and alcohol consumption, and other variables. Using this simplified dataset allows users to gain practical experience in data analysis and to get acquainted with the potential uses of SHARE data for future research.

How to Access SHARE Data?

1. Review the SHARE data usage terms and conditions.
2. Fill out the data access request form.
3. Send the completed and signed application to the SHARE data centre by email or post.

Additional information on how to become a SHARE data user is available here.

Access to SHARE data for scientific use is free of charge, in accordance with European Union and national data protection laws, as well as publicly available terms of use. More information is available here.

You can follow project news and updates on the SHARE Latvia Facebook page.

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) participates in the project “RSU Participation in the Horizon Europe Programme” (Project No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/014), one of the goals of which is to inform and educate researchers about opportunities to use SHARE data in research.