SACRO: Semi-Automated Checking Of Research Outputs

Smith, Jim; Preen, Richard; Albashir, Maha; Ritchie, Felix; Green, Elizabeth; Davy, Simon; Stokes, Pete; Bacon, Sebastian

Abstract

Output checking can require significant resources, acting as a barrier to scaling up the research use of confidential data. We report on a project, SACRO, that is developing a general-purpose, semi-automatic output checking systems that works across the range of restricted research environments. SACRO is designed to
• Automate checking of most common statistics, using best-practice principles-based modelling.
• Support researchers using the major analytical languages (R, Python and Stata), with minimal changes,
by exploiting the ‘wrapper’ approach successfully trialled already.
• Support secure environments with different operating models and output checking workflows, through a
process of co-design to maximise useability.
SACRO builds on previous work: (ACRO, funded by Eurostat and reported in in the 2021 Workshop) to establish the proof-of-concept; and Py-ACRO which showed how a software-independent tool might be developed. It differs from those earlier projects in terms of a wider range of statistics covered, and a requirement to achieve general applicability. To do this, the project draws on our extensive networks of practitioners. A series of workshops and ‘hands-on’ evaluations ensure the design frameworks support buy-in from a wide range of prospective users across health and social sciences, and from the public and private sectors.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: UNECE Expert meeting on Statistical Data Confidentiality
• Start Date: Sep 26, 2023
• End Date: Sep 28, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 25, 2023
• Keywords: disclosure contro, privacy, automation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11060964