SERU Data Requests

Single-institution and multiple-institution (common) data sets are available through separate processes. We prioritize requests from faculty and graduate students at SERU member institutions.

Single-institution data sets

•  SERU campus representatives can share their institution’s data so long as they follow item V. in the Data Use Guidelines 

•  If you’re interested in data from a SERU member or work at a member institution, contact the campus representative to gain access to their single-institution data set. Contact SERU staff (jpat@berkeley.edu) for campus representative contact information.

Common or multi-institutional data sets

•  Researchers can request access to de-identified selected common data sets by submitting a request to SERU staff.

•  Common data set requests require several components outlined below, and require a project outline and a variable list relevant to the proposed analysis.

External requesters receive de-identified selected data sets, limited to the variables relevant to their study. Institutional markers can be retained in a de-identified format.

1. A 2-4 page research proposal outlining the proposed study including a project title and 100-word abstract.

2.  A list of variables in spreadsheet format using the relevant codebooks to specify variable names. Contact SERU staff (jpat@berkeley.edu) for with the specific-year codebooks you need. 

• The variable list must specify the SERU variables, demographic variables, and other input and outcome measures requested by the researcher.

• Please note that SERU staff are not able to run analysis on your behalf, so you may need to be general in your request to allow for revelations from the data you request to shape your project. This is a common occurrence and variable lists can be revised in the process to account for it.

1. Submit your proposal, abstract, and variable list along with other information about you and your project through the data request form. 

2. Upon approval of your proposal, complete and sign the SERU data use agreement.

3. Obtain human subjects approval on your local campus. Contact SERU staff (jpat@berkeley.edu) for existing IRB documentation.

4. Coordinate with SERU staff to receive custom de-identified data file via secure Box folder.

5. Adhere to data use agreement in use, storage, and eventual purge of SERU data.

6. Update SERU staff on project progress and share all final manuscripts/presentations to be included in SERU’s research database.