New multidisciplinary online course “Introduction to Register-based Research in Finland” launching in autumn 2026

FIRE’s new multidisciplinary online course, Introduction to Register-based Research in Finland (5-6
ECTS), introduces students to the opportunities offered by Finnish register data in business and
economics, health sciences, and social sciences research. The course is delivered through
DigiCampus, the nationally shared learning environment for universities. The modules will become available to students during the academic year 2026–2027

The course combines multidisciplinary foundations to register data research, field-specific research examples, ethics and legal aspects of data collection and management, and practical register data analysis skills.

The course consists of four modules:

  • Module I: From Registers to Research introduces the fundamentals of register data and
    available Finnish registers. Students will develop an understanding of the types of research
    questions that can be addressed using register data.
  • Module II: Field-specific Examples of Register-based Research Using Finnish Data allows
    students to explore register-based research in their selected field of interest of either Business and Economics, Health Sciences, or Social Sciences through research articles and researcher interviews.
  • Module III: Ethics, Permissions and Legal Issues familiarizes students with data access
    procedures, regulatory requirements, ethical considerations, and the roles of key Finnish
    authorities such as Findata and Statistics Finland.
  • Module IV: Register Data Analysis provides practical training in preparing, linking and
    analysing register data in the statistical software Stata.

 

By the end of the course, students will understand how register data are collected, managed and
used in research, and what kinds of research questions can be addressed with register data.
Students will also learn the ethical and legal requirements related to register-based research and
gain hands-on experience in processing and analysing register data using Stata.

The course is intended for students with prior knowledge of quantitative research methods, an
ability to read and interpret the results of articles that have used standard statistical methods, and
basic data management skills preferably in Stata. Students from University of Turku, Tampere University, University of Jyväskylä, University of Helsinki and Aalto University can register for the course. Registration for the course will open through universities’ study administration systems in autumn 2026.