Resolving the tension between access and confidentiality: Past experience and future plans at the U.S. Census Bureau

Issue title: Official Statistics and Microdata – Access and Confidentiality

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Foster, Lucia | Jarmin, Ron | Riggs, Lynn

Affiliations: Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This paper provides an historical context for access to U.S. Federal statistical data with a primary focus on the U.S. Census Bureau. We review the various modes used by the Census Bureau to make data available to users, and highlight the costs and benefits associated with each. We highlight some of the specific improvements underway or under consideration at the Census Bureau to better serve its data users, as well as discuss the broad strategies employed by statistical agencies to respond to the challenges of data access.

Keywords: Confidentiality, micro-data, microdata, Microdata Analysis System, U.S. Census Bureau, Research Data Centers, VirtualRDC

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-2009-0705

Journal: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 26, no. 3-4, pp. 113-122, 2009/2010