There are a range of tools and resources available to Researchers for use at different stages of the data access process.
- AppTracker
Apptracker is PopData’s online project management system, a resource for keeping track of research projects coordinated by PopData. If you have a project with us, AppTracker is where you will have real time access to detailed project status information such as:
- Current project status
- Submission and approval statuses of applications, amendments and other requests
- Data releases (including the data files and time periods)
- Data retention expiry dates by Data Steward
- Ethics expiry dates
- SRE expiry date
- Study population(s) description
- Research objectives
- Complete list of project team members, including roles and data access status
- List of all the Data Stewards involved in the project
- Financial information such as invoice records
How to access AppTracker
Access to AppTracker is through the Projects tab on the my.popdata website. Please note you will need a PopData account to log in.
AppTracker access is automatically provided for the project’s applicant, coordinator, and team members with SRE access. Access can be provided for any of the team members on the project.
Please have the project coordinator contact the Data Access Unit if you wish to receive access for the projects you are currently involved with.
For more information about AppTracker, please contact the Data Access Unit at: dataaccess@popdata.bc.ca
- DARonline
DARonline is our web-based data application request (DAR) system. It features user-friendly navigation, the ability for researchers and Data Stewards to generate project-specific documentation, and the ability for multiple individuals to review and edit the same DAR.
How to access DARonline
Access to the DAR is through my.popdata.bc.ca under the ‘Researcher Tools’ tab. You will need a my.popdata account to log in.
If you don’t have an account, please visit: my.popdata.bc.ca
- Document Central
The Document Central webpage provides quick access to many of the documents and online forms required throughout the data access and delivery process and other useful resources for researchers.
- Metadata Central
Approved users (listed below) may access file and field level summaries for BC Cancer, the Human Early Learning Partnership EDI, the BC Ministry of Health and BC Vital Statistics Agency via Metadata Central.
- Researchers or project team members at any stage of the data application (DAR) process (feasibility, initial, proposed, applied or approved)
- Anyone affiliated with a research or public institution, including health authorities, (e.g. BC Centre for Disease Control) and Public Service Agencies (e.g. BC Coroners Service)
- Data Stewards and/or designated affiliates
- Students enrolled in one of our Education and Training Unit courses
How to access Metadata Central
Access to Metadata Central is through the my.popdata website. You will need a my.popdata account to log in.
To request access to Metadata Central, please contact the Data Access Unit at dataaccess@popdata.bc.ca.
PLEASE NOTE: Access to Metadata Central is NOT AVAILABLE to users outside of Canada.
- Snippets
PopData Snippets is a place where Researchers and data analysts are able to share various bits or snippets of code they have written.
These bits of code help researchers read data into various statistical programs, help sort data, and assist with various other commonly performed tasks.
Researchers may submit new snippets or use existing snippets both inside and outside the Secure Research Environment.
Features include:
- User-friendly navigation for finding snippets by tags, text in the title, and code language.
- The ability to ask questions or add advice on a piece of code by submitting a comment.
- Simple instructions on how to submit a snippet.
Please note that all submissions and comments are moderated by PopData. However, we do not check the submissions for usefulness, validity, or correctness. This is a resource for Researchers, by Researchers.
How to access Snippets
Access to Snippets is through the Projects tab on the my.popdata website and you will need a my.popdata account to log in.
For more information about Snippets, please contact the Data Access Unit at dataaccess@popdata.bc.ca.
COVID-19 Research
> Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Case Definition and Related Coding
> Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Research Resources
Interested in past workshops and webinars?
Visit our Events archive for past presentations, workshops and webinars including:
- Advanced Methods for the Analysis of Population-wide Health Administrative Data Series - highlights the value of population-wide administrative data and related advanced analytic methods for health research.
- The Power of Population Data Science Series - highlights the value of data linkage and related data-intensive analytics by profiling some of the most recent International Journal of Population Data Science (IJPDS) publications by national and international Population Data Scientists.
