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The Research Data Centre Program. Microdata Access Division. Heather Hobson. April 23, 2009. Origin of the RDC Program Mission What is the RDC network? What is an RDC? How is access to data obtained? Data holdings The range of available datasets Protecting confidentiality Future plans.
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The Research Data Centre Program Microdata Access Division Heather Hobson April 23, 2009
Origin of the RDC Program Mission What is the RDC network? What is an RDC? How is access to data obtained? Data holdings The range of available datasets Protecting confidentiality Future plans Presentation outline Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Report from the Canadian Initiative on Social Statistics (1998) Important gaps: Lack of researchers mastering the data analysis techniques in social sciences Limited use of Statistics Canada’s surveys – absence of PUMF for longitudinal data Examples: SLID, NPHS, NLSCY Research findings are not communicated enough Development of the RDC network started in 2000-2001 Origin of the RDC Program Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Promote and facilitate social science research Provide secure access to Statistics Canada’s confidential micro-data survey files Protect confidentiality of respondents Disseminate findings of research to the policy community and the public Mission of the RDC Program Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
It is a partnership that includes: More than 40 Canadian universities Major Granting Councils (SSHRC, CIHR, CFI) Provincial governments Statistics Canada What is the RDC Network? Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Secure environment in a setting that is removed from Statistics Canada premises Houses Statistics Canada micro data files Staffed by a Statistics Canada employee at all times Operates under the provisions of the Statistics Act Access limited to researchers with approved projects and “sworn-in” under Statistics Act as “deemed employees” All researchers have direct access to the data What is a Research Data Centre ? Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Researchers from participating institutions do not pay for access to an RDC General principle Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
SFU and U. Victoria U. Sask. BCIRDC UWO Moncton Alberta Sudbury U. Windsor COOL COOL CRISP SWORDC Prairies McMaster Queen’s York U. Atlantic Toronto Toronto Toronto U. Manitoba QICSS CIQSS Laval McGill Sherbrooke UQAM Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
How do researchers gain access to the RDCs Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Project proposal Proposal evaluation - SSHRC Security clearance - enhanced reliability check Orientation session and “oath of office” Researcher agrees to provide publicly available report that falls within Statistics Canada’s mandate Access to the Research Data Centres(Academic researchers) Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Necessity for access to detailed micro data and to the particular dataset(s) specified in proposal Clearly defined project objectives Suitability of analytical and statistical methods Scientific merit of the project Do the applicant and the team members have the experience, qualifications, and expertise to successfully complete the proposed project? Evaluation Criteria – academic researchers Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Project proposal, “reviewed” by designated official (either Director General research for federal departments, or statistical focal point for provinces and territories) The work is to be performed by an employee (or contract employee) of the federal department or the provincial/territorial government Proposal evaluation - STC Security clearance - enhanced reliability check Orientation session and “oath of office” Access to the Research Data Centres(Federal/Provincial/Territorial researchers) Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
The work is statistical in nature. The work requires access to the specified data file(s), and cannot be accomplished using publicly available data files or published statistical information. The work can be completed using the specified data file(s) within the time frame specified. The work can not be quickly and efficiently completed by Statistics Canada employees. No data sharing agreement exists within the requesting department with respect to the dataset for which access is required. Evaluation Criteria – federal, provincial, territorial researchers Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Data holdings Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2007 Cycle 3.1 Cycle 2.1 Cycle 2.2 - Nutrition Cycle 1.1 Cycle 1.2 - Mental Health and Well-being Census of Population 2001, 1996, 1991 Ethnic Diversity Survey (EDS) General Social Survey (GSS) Access to and Use of Information Communication Technology Education, Work and Retirement Family Health Social Engagement Social Support and Aging Time Use Victimization Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC) Sample of data available in the RDCs National Graduates Survey (NGS) National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) National Population Health Survey (NPHS) • Household Component - Cross-sectional • Household Component - Longitudinal • North Component • Health Institutions Component National Survey on the Work and Health of Nurses (NSWHN) Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID) Survey on the Vitality of Official Language Minorities (SVOLM) Workplace and Employee Survey (WES) Youth in Transition Survey (YITS) Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/rdc-cdr/data-donnee-eng.htm http://www.statcan.gc.ca/rdc-cdr/data-donnee-fra.htm Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
User group Brown bag lunch presentations Beginner-level workshops in analyzing data using SPSS, SAS and Stata in the fall Graduate-level course STAT5640 Website under development http://atlanticresearchdatacentre.dal.ca/index.html Developments specific to the ARDC Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Challenges and future directions Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Add to the Census data holdings in the RDCs Add administrative data to the holdings in the RDCs Coordination with different modes of access Access to international data and by international researchers Continued growth of the network Publication of research Link all the RDCs by a secure wide area network Today’s Challenges Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Add administrative data linked to survey data Add historical census data Fully document the data holdings using DDI compliant technology Major initiatives for the future Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/rdc-cdr/index-eng.htm http://www.statcan.gc.ca/rdc-cdr/index-fra.htm To learn more … Heather Hobson Analyst, Atlantic Research Data Centre Microdata Access Division Statistics Canada Email: Heather.Hobson@dal.ca Telephone: 902-494-1545 Fax: 902-494-2758 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada