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.

Citation

Smith, J., Preen, R., Albashir, M., Ritchie, F., Green, E., Davy, S., …Bacon, S. (2023, September). SACRO: Semi-Automated Checking Of Research Outputs. Paper presented at UNECE Expert meeting on Statistical Data Confidentiality, Wiesbaden, Germany

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: UNECE Expert meeting on Statistical Data Confidentiality
• Conference Location: Wiesbaden, Germany
• 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