The strength of social scientific research in the UK derives from two complementary factors; good scientific training and a base of sound research skills on the one hand and the breadth and depth of readily available data resources on the other. Unlike the medical and physical sciences, where the development of data for research purposes is shaped directly by the research issues that are pursued, social science has followed a more eclectic approach, often developing data resources without a specific view of or agreement upon the future research agenda.

In our rapidly changing world, this approach to the development of data resources in the areas covered by or linked to the social sciences is unlikely to satisfy research needs for a number of reasons. First, the demand for evidence-based policy is increasing rapidly. It is no longer sufficient for public authorities to introduce new measures which have a significant call on public funds without evidence as to their potential efficacy. Second, the huge growth in digital data, whether from public or private transactions and the associated reduction in data storage costs now makes a wide range of data potentially available to inform research questions - data which require the provision of additional resources for access, interpretation, linkage or other forms of enhancement if they are to be of use for research purposes. Last, but not least, is the issue of the costs associated with sustaining existing and developing new data resources. New and enhanced data resources, particularly those which will facilitate research at the boundaries of social science and other disciplinary areas, are, and will continue to be, costly. This will require funding agencies to act in a more coordinated and concerted fashion to muster the financial and human resources required for future developments.

To address these issues, the Economic and Social Research Council decided to assist with the formation of a National Data Strategy. Preliminary work, consisting principally of discussions with the representatives of bodies which are engaged in funding the creation and/or development of data resources, indicated strong support for a more strategic approach to the development of data resources for future research both within the social sciences and . The National Data Strategy now provides the framework for such concerted efforts.

Key tasks to be undertaken in developing a National Data Strategy where the identification of future research needs and the establishment of mechanisms that allow stakeholders to consider the potential gains from cooperation in planning the data resources required to meet these needs. To this end, a number of activities are particularly important. These include:

• coordinating future developments by the key stakeholders and funding agencies (research councils, national and devolved government departments and agencies, research foundations and charitable bodies, etc); 
• promoting open and transparent debate concerning the costs and benefits of developing various data resources; 
• raising levels of awareness about the research potential of new and/or enhanced data resources among the community of active and potential researchers; 
• encouraging cross disciplinary approaches to scientific investigation via the creation of appropriate data resources; 
• generating global interest in the nature of the UK's social science resources and promoting sharing of resources across national boundaries; 
• learning across scientific communities and from developments in other countries regarding issues such as data linkage, access arrangements, security and the potential use of administrative data.  

To promote and coordinate these activities, a number of structures have been put in place. These are:

• The UK Data Forum (UKDF)
• The National Longitudinal Strategy Committee (NLSC)
• The ESRC Strategic Advisor (Data Resources) 

There are also other bodies whose work engages directly with the National Data Strategy. See additional resources from the International Data Strategy.