Abstract: This paper describes the principles and practices by which microdata
collected by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is made available to
researchers. Access to detailed confidential microdata, often from official
sources, is acknowledged to be one of the great unrealised opportunities
constraining the development of much academic and policy research. Recent
developments across the world have improved access for some countries
considerably, but progress is still patchy. Some of this delay is due to fear
of the new; concerns over risk; worries over cost or feasibility; or just
simply how to choose between a myriad of different solutions. This paper
considers the development of access to confidential microdata using the UK as
an example. The UK Office for National Statistics has developed a coherent
framework for providing data: everything from internet access to secure labs
can be considered within the same framework. The aim is to achieve a balance of
cost, access and detail through a finite set of options, enabling both
flexibility and economies of scale. A central role is played by the ONS' remote
access facility, a secure thin-client desktop. This paper considers the
problems that arose during the development and operation of the facility,
current concerns, and challenges it will face in the future.
Keywords: Microdata, Office for National Statistics, ONS, RDC, 'Research Data Centre', SDS, 'Secure Data Service', SDC, 'statistical disclosure control', 'Virtual Microdata Laboratory', VML