Apply to use LNU data

This page provides information on the conditions for access to LNU data and the rules governing its use. It also provides instructions on how to apply for data for your own research. All applications are assessed by a data access committee consisting of researchers at the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI).

Codebooks and documentation for LNU 1968–2010 and associated studies can be found under the documentation tabs on the SOFI website. In most cases, the associated studies can be linked to the main survey.

Codebooks and Questionnaires

If you have any questions about the variables or how to access LNU data for your research.
Please contact: lnu@sofi.su.se .

Conditions for access to LNU data

The Swedish Level-of-Living Surveys (LNU) contain sensitive personal data as defined by the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR; EU 2016/679). Such data may be processed for research purposes if the project has been approved in accordance with the Act (SFS 2003:460) concerning the ethical review of research involving humans. Such reviews are conducted by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. Access to LNU data therefore requires approval from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority for the project in which the LNU data will be used.

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the following also applies:

(a) no more personal data may be processed than is necessary for the purposes of the processing; and

(b) personal data must not be retained for longer than is necessary for the purposes of the processing.

The application must clearly justify which data are needed for the project and why. You must also specify how long the data will be used in the project..

Rules for handling LNU data

1. The research ethics principles of the Swedish Research Council must be followed where applicable. Good Research Practice (vr.se)
2. Data are provided in anonymized form. This protection of individuals' identities must not be circumvented in any way, for example through so-called re-identification.
3. Data must not be disclosed to unauthorized persons. Authorized persons are the named members of the research group carrying out the project for which the data have been provided.
4. Data must be stored in such a way that only project members have access to them, i.e. only in secure, locked physical and digital environments. Any unattended spaces where data are stored must be locked.
5. Data must not be distributed over open networks, such as by email, nor transmitted in this way between individual authorized users.
6. All reports, regardless of publication format, that are wholly or partly based on data obtained from the Level-of-Living Project should clearly state the data source.
7. Reports that are wholly or partly based on data obtained from the Level-of-Living Project should be submitted digitally to lnu@sofi.su.se as soon as they have been completed.

How to apply

For researchers and PhD students:

1. Read the conditions for access to LNU data and the rules governing its use.
2. Complete the application form: Ansökningsblankett LNU-datadocx, 24.1 kB. (Word)
   
3. 1. Save the completed form in two versions:
   • a scanned PDF version signed by the project leader
   • a Word version without a signature.
4. Send both versions to lnu@sofi.su.se
   
5. Attach the application and the decision from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority.