Specificities of the selected thematic areas required a certain flexibility in choosing additional sources, statistical methods and attributes (features) used in the estimates. The following describes the general principles of data analysis and the detailed, area-specific methodology (a list of variables used in estimates as well as sources of data) have been included in the appendix.2 Global Study Database Based upon manual reviews of all submitted Global Study questionnaire responses, certain challenges have been identified in compiling them into one single database, most prominently because some official data provided by States did not follow the age categorisation of the definition ‘child’ (0-17) as stipulated under the CRC. Further research was then necessary for disaggregation and use for the research informing the Global Study. Dealing with a wide range of data submitted by States under the Global Study questionnaire, a well conceptualised system needed to be established for an efficient collection, storage, management and analysis of data. Following this thorough examination, an online database has been designed and tested for its usability and functionalities, including an advanced search engine. The final version of the database is under further development in order to accommodate the harmonisation process of data collection and analysis from different data providers. As the Global Study encompasses thematic areas relevant for Governments, various UN bodies as well as other stakeholders, the database aims at ensuring the compatibility with other relevant existing databases, most notably the Universal Human Rights Index. By building upon the existing mechanisms and frameworks of data collection, the Global Study can monitor the developments and trends in the process of reducing the number of children deprived of liberty worldwide as well as create a platform to share good practices of non-custodial solutions to deprivation of liberty across all situations covered by the Study. 2 See the list of variables and sources included in Appendix I. 37