(157) By combining information from registries, researchers can gain valuable new knowledge about common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and depression, for example. By using registries, scientific findings can be made more precise, as they will be based on a larger sample. In the social sciences, registry-based research allows researchers to gain crucial knowledge about the long-term interrelationships of many social factors, for example, unemployment or education with other livelihood factors. Research results obtained from registries provide solid, quality knowledge that can be used to develop and implement knowledge-based policies, improve the quality of life for many people, and increase the effectiveness of social services, etc. In order to facilitate scientific research, the processing of personal data for the purposes of scientific research is permitted subject to the relevant conditions and safeguards provided for by Union or member state law.