Strategies for Addressing Issues Related to the Use of Administrative Records for Statistical Research

• Activity Number: 434
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Thursday, August 7, 2003 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Section on Government Statistics
• Author(s): Gerald W. Gates*+ and Pamela White*+ and Ronald C. Prevost*+
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and Statistics Canada and U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: privacy ; ; confidentiality ; record linkage ; data stewardship ; administrative records

Abstract

For decades, the statistical community has recognized the value of administrative record data. Advances in data linkage technologies demonstrate tremendous potential for the development of statistical products that are richer in information, more accurate and more cost-effective than those produced solely from direct data collections. Moreover, such products can be developed without placing additional burden on the public to respond to multiple sources making inquiries for similar data. Given the spiraling costs of survey collection and the public's increasing resistance to participate in surveys, the case for using administrative records to support statistical programs is compelling. The promise of administrative records as a statistical data source cannot be realized, however, without rigorous policy analysis and programmatic controls that address individual privacy concerns and the confidentiality standards established by each agency from which such data are acquired. As policy officers and data users, the panelists bring a range of perspectives to this issue. The discussion will highlight strategies developed by selected agencies that strike an appropriate balance.