Optimising cohort data in Europe

cohort studies (specialised tangible resources) is subjected to ex-post retrospective harmonisation so that it can be compared (i.e. data becomes versatile because it can be used across contexts). Ex-post retrospective harmonisation combines data from cohort studies that were not specifically designed to be comparable but, even though no standard formats or protocols were used, variables can be assessed and formatted through an agreed semantic strategy in order to achieve commonality through data processing procedures. Thus, Pillar I converts specialised resources into versatile ones so that both types of resources retain equal weight. Integrative capabilities are mostly applied to specialised resources because standards from different contexts need to be aggregated together into a coherent whole in order to be transferred to international contexts where versatile resources are required. In general terms, standards are achieved by maintaining a balance between specialised and versatile resources. The resources and capabilities needed for all components of Pillar I are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1. Characteristics of Pillar I

Component

Resource and resource type

Capability

Data points: specialised tangible resource, potential for resource immobility. Consensus about the number of common variables to be retained: tangible specialised resources. Active research community

Harmonisation level

Integrative capabilities: aggregation and transferability.

Common and minimum set of variables

Combinative capabilities: limiting the consensus scope to few variables.

engagement: intangible specialised resources.

Combinative capabilities: − Generating a catalogue for collecting standards inputs. − Aggregation capabilities (integration) and rules & directives (knowledge integration mechanisms). − A standards collecting catalogue with specifications about the standardisation scope and research community type.

Existing resources for metadata standards (e.g.

Data Documentation Initiative [DDI] and the EU-Statistics on Income and Living Conditions [SILC]): tangible and versatile resources, contain barriers to entry

Metadata standards