Using MABEL Data

Instructions and forms for applying to access the MABEL Data.

Use of the MABEL data

The data collected by the MABEL survey are used by researchers to investigate a range of issues relating to the medical workforce in Australia. The data should be used only by individuals with the necessary quantitative skills and who are aware of the limitations of this type of survey data. For individuals and organisations without such skills it is recommended they contact the research team directly to discuss their requirements.

MABEL User Manual

All users of the MABEL data should consult the MABEL User Manual. This manual contains background information about the MABEL survey and methods, as well as the data dictionary. The MABEL data released to researchers are de-identified, which means that individual respondents cannot be identified. To this end, the data contain no geographic identifiers apart from the ASGC remoteness categories; age is coded into aggregated categories; and other variables are top-coded.

The MABEL User Manual - Wave 11 Release (April 2020)

The study was approved by the University of Melbourne Faculty of Business and Economics Human Ethics Advisory Group (Ref. 0709559) and the Monash University Standing Committee on Ethics in Research Involving Humans (Ref. CF07/1102 - 2007000291).

Access to the MABEL data

There are two ways the MABEL data can be  used. The first is by researchers conducting their own analysis using the de-identified unit record data for each wave. The second is by requesting the MABEL team to undertake analysis.

Applying for de-identified unit record MABEL data

The MABEL dataset is now hosted by the Australian Data Archive (ADA) based at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

Those wishing to use de-identified unit record MABEL data to conduct their own analysis can apply via the ADA.

Apply for access

Individuals applying for access to the MABEL data as part of a research team are each required to submit a separate application via this link.  Applications will be forwarded automatically to the MABEL Survey Chief Investigators for approval, which should take no longer than two weeks.

Once approval is granted applicants will be notified by the ADA and asked to agree to the ADA Dataverse Terms and Conditions of Use, which includes the MABEL Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Once agreed to the ADA will then provide instructions for the applicant to gain access to the full 11 waves of the MABEL dataset.

MABEL data is provided on an 'as-is' basis and, while reasonable care has been taken in its collection, neither the University of Melbourne nor Monash University is responsible for its accuracy, quality or fitness for purpose.

Cost: There is no cost to access and use the MABEL data.

Requesting analysis of the MABEL data

The second way you can access MABEL data is by submitting a request for us to analyse the data on your behalf. This might be relevant where an individual does not need access to the full dataset or where an organisation does not have its own statisticians or researchers to analyse the data. For example, an organisation may simply require the average earnings of doctors across different specialties, descriptive statistics for a group of doctors, or the production of aggregate tables or cross-tabulations.

A separate request form must be completed and submitted for every request made and a Memorandum of Understanding must be signed by all those intending to use the data:

Request Form for analysis of the MABEL data

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Cost: Analysis requests will be charged at an hourly rate of $250.00 (ex. GST).

Acknowledgements and publications

Copies of all publications and details of presentations which use the MABEL data should be provided to the Melbourne Institute, and must include the Acknowledgement below:

Acknowledgement

This [research/publication/presentation*] used data from the MABEL longitudinal survey of doctors. Funding for MABEL was provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council (2007 to 2016: 454799 and 1019605); the Australian Department of Health and Ageing (2008); Health Workforce Australia (2013);  The University of Melbourne, Medibank Better Health Foundation, the NSW Department of Health, and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (2017); and the Australian Government Department of Health, the Australian Digital Health Agency, and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (2018). The study was approved by The University of Melbourne Faculty of Business and Economics Human Ethics Advisory Group (Ref. 0709559) and the Monash University Standing Committee on Ethics in Research Involving Humans (Ref: 195535 CF07/1102 – 2007000291). The MABEL research team bears no responsibility for how the data has been analysed, used or summarised in this [research/publication/presentation*]."


*select as applicable