Public-Use vs. Restricted-Use: An Analysis Using the American Community Survey
January 2017
Working Paper Number:
CES-17-12
Abstract
Statistical agencies frequently publish microdata that have been altered to protect confidentiality. Such data retain utility for many types of broad analyses but can yield biased or Insufficiently precise results in others. Research access to de-identified versions of the restricted-use data with little or no alteration is often possible, albeit costly and time-consuming. We investigate the the advantages and disadvantages of public-use and restricted-use data from the American Community
Survey (ACS) in constructing a wage index. The public-use data used were Public Use Microdata Samples, while the restricted-use data were accessed via a Federal Statistical Research Data Center. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each data source and compare estimated CWIs and standard errors at the state and labor market levels.
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:
data,
work census,
statistical,
microdata,
analyst,
survey,
agency,
respondent,
confidentiality,
information,
employ,
workforce,
salary,
federal,
labor statistics,
census bureau,
research census,
use census,
datasets,
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public,
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identified to contain references to specific institutions, datasets, and other organizations.
:
Standard Industrial Classification,
Bureau of Labor Statistics,
North American Industry Classification System,
American Community Survey,
National Center for Health Statistics,
Public Use Micro Sample,
Occupational Employment Statistics,
Special Sworn Status,
Integrated Public Use Microdata Series,
North American Industry Classi,
Personally Identifiable Information,
Federal Statistical Research Data Center
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