1. CHEPA & Health Policy PhD Program
The Research Data Centre (RDC) PROGRAM
Telling Canada’s story in numbers
Mustafa Ornek
Vivek Jadon
CHEPA & Health Policy PhD Program
March 15, 2016

2. What is an RDC ?
An RDC is a secure Statistics Canada (StatsCan) research laboratory physically located on a university campus to ensure that statistical microdata can be extensively analyzed by the research community across Canada without compromising the confidential nature of the data / information

3. Master File versus PUMFs
Compared to PUMFs, a master file:
contains the full sample of respondents, not a sub-set of them
includes additional categories in variables; more detailed information
allows research on lower levels of geography
provides discrete values for certain variables, such as age or body weight, instead of categories
may offer other concepts that are not available in PUMFs
Moreover, master files contain derived variables and bootstrap weights
RDC access is useful when PUMF does not exist or provide adequate level of details for quality research or when longitudinal data linkage is required

4. Continuum of data access
Statistical Products
Custom Requests
Microdata
Daily releases
Cansim tables
Analytic articles
Aggregate tables
Data tabulations
PUMFs (DLI)
Real Time Remote Access
Remote job submissions
Research Data Centres
Federal RDC
@ McMaster University
Mills Library 1st floor
for Public use master files
(PUMFs)
@Statistics Canada RDC
Mills Library 2nd floor
for Confidential microdata master files

5. Microdata Access for Researchers
Public Use Microdata Files (PUMF)
Each Public Use Microdata File is based on a corresponding master data file. The modifications performed by Statistics Canada before the PUMF is released ensure that the risk of breaching confidentiality has been removed. Since the results of any analysis performed do not have to be scrutinized before they are released, the file is considered “Public”.
Modifications made to master files to convert them to PUMFs may include: collapsing of variables (e.g., age groups instead of individual years of age); collapsing variables into one variable (e.g., multiple language questions collapsed into one language variable for analysis); suppressing variables (although the variable is part of the master file, it will not show up in the public file); and removing outliers (removing cases that are extremes - often used with income).
By using these techniques to anonymise the files, combining variables will not result in the user identifying a respondent.

6. Microdata Access for Researchers
Public Use Microdata Files (PUMF)
Benefits
Free
Very few conditions to access & use the data
No approval process to access the data
Limitations
Content is limited (screened and grouped for confidentiality)
Not all surveys have a PUMF
Almost all PUMFs are cross-sectional, i.e., represent data collected at one point in time

7. Microdata Access for Researchers
Programs related to accessing PUMFs
Data Liberation Initiative (DLI)
Microdata Access Division
Programs related to accessing microdata
Real Time Remote Access (RTRA)
Research Data Centres (RDC)
Federal Research Data Centre (FRDC)
Canadian Centre for Data Development and Economic Research (CDER)

8. Data Liberation Initiative (DLI)
DLI provides access to Statistics Canada standard products, databases, 350 public-use microdata and geographic information files.
DLI metadata are coded for search ability
DLI members have support through a very active listserv
Currently 77 subscribing institutions; McMaster University Library is also part of Stat Can DLI program.

9. DLI PUMF Collection
The DLI offers access to all public data products such as:
The public use files for over 200 surveys including, the Canadian Community Health Survey, the National Population Health Survey, the General Social Survey, the Labour Force Survey and the Census of Population
Databases such as the Small Area Business and Labour Database, Inter-Corporate Ownership etc
An enhanced line of Census products
Aggregated data on subject such as Justice and Education
All standard geographic files and databases

10. Health-related DLI PUMFs
National Population Health Survey (NPHS)
Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
Canada Health Survey (CHS)
General Social Survey (GSS)
Joint Canada/US Survey of Health (JCUSH)
National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY)
Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS)
Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) – Conducted by CIHI

11. Microdata Access for Researchers
Synthetic Files
These microdata do not contain actual “real” cases but contain pseudo-cases that provide aggregate results close to the “real” cases
These files have been prepared to create analysis runs with the master file without possibly disclosing or identifying any of the cases
The results are NOT to be reported, but are strictly to be used to prepare analysis of master files
Usually associated with longitudinal files, e.g. NLSCY and CCHS

12. Real Time Remote Access (RTRA)
On-line remote access facility allowing users to run SAS programs, in more or less in real-time, against microdata located in a central and secure location.
Researchers using the RTRA system do not gain direct access to the microdata and cannot view the content of the microdata. Instead, users submit SAS programs to extract results in the form of frequency tables.
As RTRA researchers cannot view the microdata, becoming a deemed employees of Stat Can is no longer necessary. Hence, rapid access to microdata files.
Using a secure username and password, the RTRA provides around the clock access to survey results from any computer with internet access.
Confidentiality of the micro data is automated in the RTRA system, eliminating the need for manual intervention and allowing for rapid access to results.

13. Real Time Remote Access (RTRA)
Benefits:
Access from any computer with internet access, using a secure username and password - No travel to RDCs
Few conditions on access and use of data
Full Master Files available; Confidentiality automated
Deemed employee status not required
Limitations:
Tabular frequencies only - SAS only
Only certain statistics available
Not all data sets available
Costs

14. Access DLI Data: Odesi Data Portal
Odesi is...
a web-based data extraction system delivered through  Scholars Portal, provides access to diverse, quality, numeric data sets including microdata survey collection from DLI, demographic data from Statistics Canada and polling data from Gallup.
facilitates the exploration (searching, data manipulation, creation of summary statistics, graphing and export) of multiple, sophisticated data sets.
Access is open to all OCUL institutions and is controlled by IP address

15. Research Data Management (RDM)
RDM is the active organization and maintenance of data throughout its lifecycle, from its collection, interpretation, dissemination, and the archiving of valuable results.
Application of best practices to ensure data security, accessibility, usability, and integrity throughout the project and after its completion.
Research Design
Data Collection & Creation
Processing & Analyses
Storage & Preservation
Publication, Sharing & Reuse

16. Research Data Management (RDM)
Why RDM:
Rewards for RDM practices are manifold:
Granting Agencies
Researchers
Universities
Research Output
The Public
RDM
+ Efficiency
+ Impact
Public Good
Transparency
Compliance
+ Reuse

17. Research Data Management (RDM)
Scholars Portal Dataverse
A multidisciplinary data repository for researchers at Ontario’s universities, available as a service through Scholars Portal – an initiative from Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL).
With SP Dataverse, researchers can share, preserve, cite, explore and analyze research data and allows them to control data access and distribution.
Supports data DOI registration through Datacite Canada.

18. Portage DMP Assistant
A web-based, bilingual data management planning tool.
Available to all researchers across Canada.
A guide for best practices in data stewardship.
Exportable data management plans.

19. Research Data Management (RDM)

20. Contact Information
Location: Mills Memorial Library, Room L104/C
Telephone: Ext
Hours of Service:
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

21. RDC Micro data Resources / Links
Google: “McMaster RDC” for:
Summary of data sets classified by type and status
Resources for selected surveys
Monthly Newsletter: goings-on in the McMaster RDC (new data sets, library hours / closures, featured survey) and contact information

22. A Brief List of Datasets
Census
National Household Survey (NHS)
Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
Special cycles on: Mental health, Nutrition intake and Health Aging
Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS)
National Population Health Survey (NPHS)
Vital Statistics Database: Births and Deaths
Canadian Cancer Registry (CCR)
Canadian Survey on Disability 2012 (CSD)
Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey: (CTUMS)
Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada: 2009, 2011, 2014 (SLCDC)
Survey on Living with Neurological Conditions in Canada 2011 (SLNCC)
CNICS (Childhood National Immunization Coverage Survey)
ALSO: Administrative (linked) datasets
For full list, please visit CRDCN’s website

23. Access to Centre Application Process:
Academic, government funded or public sector access
Link for “How to Apply”
Security Clearance and Orientation
McMaster RDC offers:
Two analysts on-site for orientation and support
12 workstations with various statistical software
Conference room

24. McMaster RDC Information
LOCATION
Mills Memorial Library, Rm 217
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton ON, L8S 4L6
Note: We will be relocating to new Wilson Building in near future
Academic Director: Byron Spencer
Analysts: Peter Kitchen ext Mustafa Ornek ext
Statistical Assistant: Anna Kata ext
Statistics Canada at McMaster RDC Website :

25. Thank you
See you in the RDC … SOON!
Telling Canada’s story in numbers