Remote access to research data files resulting from linkages

Introduction In recent years, the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), the official statistical agency of the province of Québec (Canada) has been faced with: an increase in demand for statistical information and a growing diversity of users; users, particularly researchers, who are increasingly seeking access to microdata files they can process themselves.

Introduction In 2004, a partnership project with a network of researchers and other government agencies was launched. All talks about the transmission of private information have been carried out according to Québec’s privacy protection legislation. Access by researchers to confidential information taken from administrative files is a complex process when the information is requested from different holder agencies. The ISQ was chosen to host the service platform.

General description The service platform is not a data warehouse. The service is accessible by means of an Internet portal, through which researchers can submit their requests, follow up on them, and make remote use of the research files.

Submission of researcher’s request To help the researcher formulate his request, there is a search engine on the Internet portal that can consult the dictionary in order to obtain information on a specific data source or a holder of information. It is also possible to search by keyword, year of data source, categories or data source owner.

Processing of researcher’s request Create the research file resulting from linkages Control the risk of disclosing confidential information

Remote access to research file High-level security measures for authentication of the researcher are required. It is not possible for the researcher to download or print the data or results of his analyses. The user’s work session is recorded and can be studied at any time (in real or delayed time).

Environment & Development Products used: Oracle Fusion Middleware 10G (AS and BPEL, Collaboration Suite, DB) Suze Linux APIs used: Oracle ADF, Oracle BPEL, Jasper Reports, JAAS, XML, PL/SQL Development tools used: Oracle Jdeveloper, Tortoise, DMS Loading Tool

Added values The new service: facilitates research; gives new means to the researchers; accelerates the current access process. The location of the service platform at the ISQ provides guarantees that the confidentiality and security of the data will be ensured, given our legal oversight (statistical secrecy) and normative framework in that regard.

Status of current project The service platform will be in operation in the summer of 2007. www.epsebe.ca

Presented by Annie Giguère and Madeleine Filion annie.giguere@stat.gouv.qc.ca madeleine.filion@stat.gouv.qc.ca Institut de la statistique du Québec, Canada www.stat.gouv.qc.ca