ICPSR: Find & Use Data

Public-use data, which constitute the majority of ICPSR's holdings, are those for which disclosure risk to research participants and of confidential information is minimal. When necessary, ICPSR protects respondent confidentiality by removing, masking, and/or collapsing variables in the deposited data to produce a public-use version of the dataset.

Restricted-use data are distributed in cases when removing potentially identifying information would significantly impair the analytic potential of the data, or in cases where data contain highly sensitive personal information and cannot be shared as a public-use file. In these circumstances, ICPSR provides access to a restricted-use version that retains the confidential data but requires controlled conditions for accessing them. Access is only granted following an application process during which researchers agree to follow strict legal and electronic requirements for maintaining data confidentiality. The sections below provide further information on locating, applying for, and accessing restricted data at ICPSR.

Restricted data at ICPSR is disseminated via four main methods:

1. Secure Download: Upon approval, researchers will receive an encrypted file via e-mail which they may download to the secure location specified in the application.
2. Virtual Data Enclave (VDE): Rather than receiving a downloadable copy of the data, researchers are approved to access the data, stored on ICPSR’s servers, via a remote desktop connection. Researchers are unable to move files from the remote desktop to their own desktop or to the Internet. To receive output from the VDE, researchers must request that ICPSR conduct a disclosure review on the desired files.
3. Physical Data Enclave (PDE): The physical data enclave is located onsite at ICPSR’s offices in Ann Arbor, MI. Data in the physical enclave typically contain highly sensitive personal information or data from protected populations. To analyze data located in the Physical Enclave, researchers must travel to ICPSR. To receive output, researchers must request that ICPSR conduct a disclosure review on the desired files.
4. Restricted Survey Documentation and Analysis (SDA): Researchers apply to analyze the data online via the Survey Documentation and Analysis (SDA) system. The online analysis system has built-in disclosure protection parameters for restricted data.

Generally, the method of dissemination is related to the level of disclosure risk or the sensitivity of the data. Each dissemination method has a different application process and requirements.

Studies with restricted data include a note highlighted in red on the study home page within the Notes section:

Restricted datasets are unavailable for immediate download; rather, it is only possible to download codebooks and other study documentation. Researchers are encouraged to review the documentation to become familiar with the restricted data before applying for access.

To gain access to restricted data, researchers must submit an application, which can be found by clicking the "Access Restricted Data" button on the study home page and following the on-screen prompts.

View all ICPSR studies containing restricted data.

Information on this page was provided by ICSPSR and is available from their website.