Sharing risks, sharing benefits: Data as a public good
Felix Ritchie, Richard Welpton · UWE Research Repository (UWE Bristol) · 2011
Release of confidential data for research creates asymmetric costs and benefits for the National Statistical Institute (NSI) and the wider community.Considering access to publicly-owned data as a 'public good' (as defined by economists), the standard theory suggests that these asymmetries will lead to under-provision of data resources by an NSI acting in its own best interest.This paper uses the 'public goods' framework to demonstrate that sub-optimal data release is almost guaranteed by the relationship between the NSI, the rest of government and the research community.However, public goods theory also has a well-established suite of techniques for addressing market failure.This paper applies these techniques to examine how society's preferences for data access can be met efficiently.In particular, we show the need to share, broadly and explicitly, risks and benefits; and we suggest practical steps to move in a positive direction.