DREAM

Summary

Strengths: The register is updated weekly, which makes it possible to perform exact longitudinal studies. It covers the entire population, which has received some kind of transfer payment. The data can also be linked to a range of different registers, e.g. social background information. Weaknesses: The dataset is not suitable for analyses on the population (but suitable for analysing changes over time).

Type of data

Data Source
Registry

Type of Study
Other: Regitries

Data gathering method
Registries

Access to data

Conditions of access

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)
Anomymised microdata.

Formats available
SAS

Coverage

Coverage Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes
Data collection is ongoing since 1991. It covers all Danish people who have received transfer income. The data is updated weekly.

First year of collection
1991

Stratification if applicable
N.A.

Base used for sampling

Geographical coverage and breakdowns
N.A.

Age range
Covers the part of the population who have received transfer payments.

Statistical representativeness
Population representative

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics
The registry covers all transfer payments and employment status.

Linkage

Standardisation
N.A.

Possibility of linkage among databases
Data from the DREAM database can be linked to other register data available at Statistics Denmark through an encrypted identification key.

Data quality

Entry errors if applicable
Data is updated as soon as a person is on a benefit for as little as one day, but since only one weekly registration is possible, information is sometimes overwritten. Information about unemployment is regarded as more important than information about cash benefits, and sickness benefits are regarded as more important than information about job activation.

Breaks
Some of the codes do not apply for all years since politics, and therefore the different programmes have changed.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection
Data is updated weekly primarily using the same codes

Governance

Contact information
Statistics Denmark
Statistics Denmark
Sejroegade 11
DK-2100 Copenhagen Denmark Phone: (+45)39173130
Email: dst(at)dst.dk
Url: http://www.cfk.rm.dk/files/Sundhed/CFK/Om%20os/Datamanagement/DREAM%20dokumentation%20-%20version%2028.pdf

Timeliness, transparency
N.A.