Understanding survey data available for researchers working in ageing: the CEPAR Metadata Database on Ageing

Background For researchers working in gerontology or the demography of ageing, knowledge and access to population-based data, which includes mature age respondents, is critical. The collection metadata (information describing data) supports their search for relevant data.
 Aims This proof-of-concept project seeks develop a database including on Australian sample surveys ageing over period 2010–2018.
 Data methods We used five-stage approach create Centre Excellence Population Ageing Research (CEPAR) ageing: 1) identification in-scope survey datasets; 2) indexing surveys; 3) scraping from publicly available sources; 4) appending master database; 5) creation webtool enable users export obtain contact details data custodian.
 Results CEPAR Metadata Database from: https://mspgh.unimelb.edu.au/centres-institutes/centre-for-health-policy/research-group/metadata-database.
 Conclusions collections can assist identify what has been collected (for specific research interest ageing), how it was gain data.