The BADBIR register has collected a wealth of real-world data over 15 years, and we welcome applications to use this data in analyses.

Developing your research question

A number of resources are available to help you develop your research question for analysis:

• List of research questions, which are research questions currently being analysed using BADBIR data
• Study protocol, which explains all the outcomes we collect
• Data dictionary, which gives you an insight into the data fields
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, to provide guidance on filling the form
• List of BADBIR publications, which is a list of all the publications already published
• BADBIR publications policy, this policy outlines the process to follow and how to acknowledge BADBIR in your study
• How to design a clinical research study, a blog post by the BAD to help you with study design

How to request access to the dataset

If you are interested in using BADBIR data as a researcher, please email Joy Read (Research Coordinator) at research@bad.org.uk to describe your data request. Please include the following information:

• About you as the applicant (clinical/academic)
• A very brief outline of your research question
• Whether you have funding/applying for funding/have plans to apply for funding
• Whether you plan to do the analysis yourself or would need analytical support from the BADBIR team

The BAD team will then advise about the next stage for your application, as outlined in the flowchart below:

Timelines

The BADBIR Steering Committee reviews all data access applications at their meetings. We request that you submit your data access application form at least 30 days ahead of these meetings which are usually held in February, June and October.

When planning the timelines for your analysis please allow a minimum of six months from the application until the data will be released.

Cost of using BADBIR data

There may be a case-by-case charge depending on the complexity of the request and this will be discussed with you.

Publishing your findings

When you publish your findings, we request that you include the approved acknowledgements, details of which can be found here.

Reflections from someone who has used the data

“The process of applying for access to the BADBIR dataset was simple and efficient. Our research group submitted a collaborative application highlighting the aims of our project and our intended methodology. This was reviewed in a timely manner by the BADBIR Steering Committee and data access was granted and securely transferred. The BADBIR data management team guided us through the data structure and were available to answer queries regarding the data once the project commenced. Working external to Manchester University did not impact our ability to gain access to the data or prolong the process. We have been able to obtain subsequent data cuts and support from the BADBIR team as needed”.

Amaani Hussain
NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow, Newcastle University
Dermatology Registrar, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne