Census Bureau Opens Research Data Center in Atlanta

In the US, the Center for Economic Studies at the US Census Bureau has opened a research data center (RDC) in Atlanta, where researchers can go to conduct statistical analysis using unpublished Census files.

The RDC facilities - set up in partnership with a consortium of institutions - will be open to qualified researchers from academia, federal agencies and other bodies wishing to tap in to Census Bureau demographic and economic microdata.

In order to conduct research in the RDC, researchers must submit proposals to the Census Bureau for approval, to ensure that proposed research is feasible, has scientific merit, and benefits Census Bureau programs.

Additionally, RDC operates strict security procedures to ensure that confidentiality of data is maintained, as required by the law. For instance, researchers must pass a full background investigation and are sworn to protect the confidentiality of the data they access, with violations subject to significant financial and legal penalties.

Census Bureau Director Robert Groves comments on the launch: 'The Atlanta Census RDC will allow the research community across the Southeast to conduct statistical analyses that otherwise would not be possible on a wide range of research projects. Making microdata records available in a controlled, secure environment to users will uncover the strengths and weaknesses of these records, thereby providing us with the best way to check the quality of the data we collect, edit and tabulate.'

Web site: www.census.gov .