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Levels of Access to Data: Public and Restricted

General Information

ICPSR considers the protection of confidentiality in archived data to be of paramount importance in its service to the social science research community. Since its inception in 1962, ICPSR has routinely subjected all data deposited in the archive to rigorous examination with respect to disclosure risk. All data collections acquired by ICPSR undergo stringent confidentiality reviews to determine whether the data contain any information that could be used -- on its own or in combination with other publicly available information -- to identify respondents. Only after the completion of those reviews are data made available on our Web site. Yet there are instances when modifying a dataset for reasons of confidentiality can compromise the research potential of the data. To that end, ICPSR has established three levels of access to data files.

Public-Use Data

The vast majority of ICPSR's datasets are made available as public-use files. These data are made available on our Web site after the completion of confidentiality reviews. Prior to downloading the dataset, the researcher agrees to abide by the terms of the online Responsible Use statement, which contains the stipulation to use the data in an ethical manner.

Restricted Data

Restricted data contain confidential information that could lead to disclosure of the identity of respondents. ICPSR protects these data by maintaining them on a secure non-networked server. Individuals who apply for and complete a Restricted Use Data Agreement may obtain access to these data for legitimate research purposes. The application and agreement spell out the conditions of use pertaining to respondent confidentiality, as well as measures required for the physical safekeeping of the restricted datasets when in the researcher's possession. After both ICPSR and a responsible official at the researcher's institution sign the agreement, a copy of the data is sent on CD-ROM via registered mail directly to the researcher. The agreement requires the applicant to destroy the data after a set period of time and to provide ICPSR with proof that the data have been destroyed.

Enclave Data

These restricted data have confidentiality issues for which there is heightened sensitivity to disclosure, as indicated either by the depositor or ICPSR. The only form of access to such data is through on-site analysis in ICPSR's secure data enclave. A researcher applies for access to these data, and if approved, conducts the analysis under very controlled conditions. Analytic output and notes taken during the research process are reviewed by archive staff before being released to the researcher.

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