Applying to use the Michigan Census Research Data Center
The Michigan Census Research Data Center (MCRDC) enables qualified researchers with projects approved by the United States Census Bureau to conduct research using unpublished data from the Census Bureau's economic and demographic programs and from the National Center for Health Statistics. All MCRDC research is conducted within its secure laboratory facility located in the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. ICPSR has purchased a "seat" in the MCRDC. Researchers from ICPSR member institutions may apply to use the seat without paying the customary MCRDC laboratory fee. Further details on submitting a request to use the ICPSR seat can be found on the ICPSR Web site.
Restricted Data
ICPSR conducts a disclosure risk review of every dataset to determine whether any data items could be used to identify individual respondents. ICPSR ensures respondent confidentiality by either removing, masking, or collapsing variables within public-use versions of the datasets. The vast majority of ICPSR data holdings are public-use files with no restrictions on their access.
Sometimes the protective measures taken to reduce disclosure risk would significantly degrade the research potential of the data. In these cases, ICPSR provides access to restricted use versions that retain confidential data by imposing stringent requirements for accessing them. There are two types of restricted data: data that are available to vetted researchers on removable media and data that are accessible only within a secure data enclave.
Researchers can gain access to most restricted data by signing a Restricted Data Use Agreement and by designing a Data Protection Plan.
Enclave Data
ICPSR requires that special procedures be followed to access enclave data that pose a high risk of disclosure. Enclave data must be analyzed within ICPSR's secure data enclave in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- About Enclave Data
- Applying for Enclave Data
- Michigan Census Research Data Center (MCRDC) - unpublished U.S. Census data
Do I Need Local Approval?
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)
take different approaches to secondary analysis of public-use datasets such as those distributed
on ICPSR's Web site. Some require IRB review of proposals to analyze these data. Others exempt projects
involving secondary analysis of existing datasets from preapproved sources, such as ICPSR. Others are
establishing their own policies to address these issues. (more)
Community Tracking Study (CTS)
Please note that the Community Tracking Study (CTS) and related surveys require users to fill out special forms that can be found on the HMCA Web site.
