MRC and MHRN Data Discovery Resource: Population studies of relevance to mental health research
The MRC and the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) have developed a web accessible, searchable, database of population studies; to provide a data discovery resource for researchers.
Background
In 2006, MRC hosted an international workshop which focussed on the UK strengths in population-based mental health research, particularly large-scale cohort studies. Topics discussed at the meeting included the scientific and strategic opportunities for population-based research, the key challenges and the immediate barriers to progress. A recurring theme related to the better utilisation of existing research datasets, including enabling their discovery. The MRC commissioned the survey to start to address this research community need.
Principal investigators of 118 studies in the UK and abroad were approached during the survey over a two-month period; 93 completed questionnaires were returned. This initial focus has been on large cohort studies (>1,000 individuals), with the inclusion of some smaller studies also funded by the MRC. At present, this is not a comprehensive or representative survey of all studies of relevance in the UK and abroad.
Developing a mental health research resource
The MRC, in partnership with the Mental Health Research Network is keen to develop the web-enabled version of this survey towards a comprehensive, up-to-date information resource for researchers. This is closely allied to MRC’s data sharing initiative which aims to maximise opportunities for enabling wider use of publicly-funded data for further high quality, ethical research.
Those wishing to add studies to this resource or to update current entries can do so by contacting Gavin Malloch
Contact: Gavin Malloch
Programme Manager
MRC Headoffice
Email: gavin.malloch@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
