Creative Teaching in Health and Social Care using the UK Data Service

The UK has access to a wealth of high-quality social science data and resources, through the UK Data Service. These data have been well used in research, and attention is now increasingly turning to their inclusion in the undergraduate curriculum. This paper describes how the data can be used in the teaching of methods courses, as well as being integrated into substantive courses. The UK Data Service is described in brief, followed by an example firstly of quantitative, then qualitative, data resources in teaching and learning. The data and resources lend themselves to a huge variety of disciplines, including those involved in health and social care education. As the UK embraces the challenge to improve the student experience in the teaching of research methods, the UK Data Service is particularly well positioned to address this. This paper provides examples and pointers to work that is ongoing and being further developed through the UK Data Service. Engagement with teachers is critical to enable further work to be developed in this important area.