Social Sciences Research Center Promotes Data-Driven Research and Introduces New Methods

One of the focus areas of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) is to develop data-driven research by applying the latest digital tools and research methods. Therefore, Toms Rātfelders, Content Support Expert for the implementation of the Social Sciences Research Centre (SZPC), and Ingmārs Kreišmanis, Expert in Research Project Writing, attended two significant events.

From September 22–25, Toms Rātfelders travelled to Naples, Italy, to participate in the Eleventh International Conference on Social Science Methodology. On October 30, Ingmārs Kreišmanis attended the annual Research Data Service Providers Forum of the Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives (CESSDA) in Athens, Greece.

Social Science Methods Using Digital Solutions and Diverse Data Sources

During the Eleventh International Conference on Social Science Methodology, knowledge was expanded on research methods such as ethnography, autoethnography, auto drama, auditing, social network analysis, and digital twins. Learning new methods based on modern digital solutions is one of the priorities of the Social Sciences Research Centre. As part of this effort, the centre has acquired access to applications such as Infogram, ArcGIS, QuestionPro, MAXQDA, and FaceReader. Regular methodological seminars and training sessions are organized.

RSU as a Reliable and Secure Source of Research Data

CESSDA is the leading ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) in social sciences, bringing together 23 member states and providing a broad collaboration network for experts and data custodians. It is also a member of ESFRI (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures). CESSDA not only ensures unified access and continuous growth of leading social science research data repositories but also actively works on various technical and methodological solutions for acquiring, processing, describing, and using social science research data.

During the forum, Ingmārs learned about the latest plans in universities and institutions across different countries, including:

• Application of artificial intelligence (AI) in research data processing and analysis/interpretation
• Use of secure infrastructure for collecting, processing, and granting access to personal and sensitive data for other researchers
• Certification of research data repositories according to international standards
• Opportunities to participate in projects within the EU Horizon Europe research and innovation framework program
• Updates from other European-level research infrastructures

RSU SZPC continues its collaboration with the RSU Data Curator Unit to ensure that RSU Dataverse is a secure and reliable repository for social science research data. Discussions with the Higher Education and Science Information Technology Shared Service Centre (VPC) and the Ministry of Education and Science are ongoing regarding closer cooperation with CESSDA. It is planned that in April 2026, CESSDA will visit RSU and meet with VPC and the Ministry to discuss Latvia’s potential membership in CESSDA. Currently, RSU is CESSDA’s national partner.