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The NCHS Research Data Center (RDC) provides access to confidential research data through a secure physical space with staff and computers. Accessible data includes public use data files, restricted access files, tabulations, reports, publications, and journal articles. The RDC follows strict confidentiality protocols and allows on-site and remote access methods.
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NCHS Research Data Center Wilbur C. Hadden
What is the Research Data Center? • A NCHS data access program • An office, with staff, within NCHS • A physical space, with security • A research facility, with computers
Access to NCHS Data • Public use data files • Restricted access • Tabulations • Reports, publications, web-site • Journal articles
Authority for Confidentiality • Public Health Service Act, section 308(d) • Informed consent of survey participants and data providers
Identified Data • Data records are identified by unique data elements • Name • Social Security Number • Hospital ID number
Identifiable Data • Data are made identifiable with data elements that can be related to unique identifiers • Address • Size – e.g. number of beds, height • Specialization – e.g. having a level 1 shock trauma center, or being a farm owner/manager
Statistical Disclosure • When information on data providers can be inferred from published data
Data Accessible in RDC • Data that are potentially identifiable • Physician age and sex in NAMCS • Data linked to geographic identifiers • State, county, Census tract • Data linked to provider characteristics • Hospital size
RDC Data Access Methods • On-site access • Remote access • RDC staff assistance / collaboration
Data Preparation • Users cannot take data into RDC • RDC staff prepare data files for users • Users can provide data to RDC staff • NCHS policy is not to release user data to others • RDC staff will link user data to NCHS data
On-Site Access • Controlled access facility • Isolated computer network • No e-mail • No internet • No mountable media on computers • Users cannot take materials into computer room • No more than 3 users per project
Output Disclosure Review • Only printer is located behind locked door • RDC staff person retrieves output • Disclosure review performed before output given to users
Remote Access • Send SAS programs to RDC by e-mail • SAS program scanned – a few SAS commands and not allowed • Program executed • Automated disclosure review of program output • Output returned by e-mail
Software in RDC • SAS (only language available on ANDRE) • SUDAAN • Fortran • HLM • Stata • Limdep • text editors/viewers
To Gain Access to NCHS RDC • Visit the RDC (optional, but suggested) • Discuss proposal with RDC staff • Submit research proposal • Discuss proposal with RDC staff and revise • Pass NCHS review of proposal • Sign “Research Affidavit of Confidentiality”
Proposal Contents • Identification of researcher(s) • Source of funding • Description of proposed research • Detailed specification of data sought • Detailed specification of any user supplied data • Software requirements
Proposal Evaluation Criteria • Risk of disclosure of confidential data • Scientific merit and technical feasibility • Availability of resources in RDC • Consistency with NCHS mission
Number of RDC Clients *January to July 2002
Jobs Processed at RDC *January to July 2002
