Lifelong Learning @ UNB
UNB College of Extended Learning

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We are thrilled to announce the launch of Data Matters, a four-module introduction to administrative data developed by the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data, and Training (NB-IRDT).

Whether you're a student looking to use administrative data in your research, or you're a seasoned professional who wants to use data to inform your workplace decisions and policies, this course is designed to cover the basics of what administrative data is and what it can do for you.

Dive into modules covering data privacy, sharing results, and the role of research in developing policy, where you'll gain practical skills and knowledge that will help pave the way to begin working with administrative data yourself.

But what makes administrative data such a valuable tool?

Administrative data is incredibly comprehensive. Researchers sometimes refer to it as "population data" because it can hold information on entire populations, as long as they interact in some way with the program or service collecting the data. When it comes to government services—like healthcare and education—administrative data provides insights into patterns and trends across multiple sectors in ways that can be linked to help researchers see the "big picture." This makes it a powerful tool for evidence-based decision-making and policy development.

Using administrative data, researchers at NB-IRDT have been able to help answer important policy questions, such as:

• What are the most common characteristics of New Brunswickers living in deep poverty? Read the report: Deep Poverty in New Brunswick
• How much money could the healthcare system save if pharmacists were able to offer more vaccines to the public free of charge? Read the report: Projected health and economic outcomes
• Which immigration streams have the highest number of immigrants choosing to stay in New Brunswick after they land? Read the report: Immigrant Retention in New Brunswick

To support decision-makers with this information, you can use administrative data on population demographics, income and assistance, physician billing, immigration, residence records, and more. Administrative data connects information from different sectors and government departments to tell the story of New Brunswickers and the systems in place to support them.

Overall, the range and versatility of administrative data play a pivotal role in driving efficiency, transparency, and informed decision-making across different domains.

The development of Data Matters was supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. NB-IRDT also gratefully acknowledges the support of the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU), whose contributions to our daily operations have helped make the development of Data Matters a success.