The Kentucky Research Data Center (KRDC) offers researchers with approved projects access to restricted data at the individual, household, firm, and establishment level not available in the public domain. The primary Federal sponsors of data in KRDC are the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many, but not all, of the data sources available in KRDC have public-release counterparts. However, these public data often have geographic identifiers suppressed or only available in course geographies such as Census region. What makes the restricted-use data in KRDC of particular interest to researchers is access to detailed geographic information, generally to the block and census-tract levels for surveys, as well as less restrictive top-coding, linked to the individual level.
Overview of Data Products at KRDC
Census Bureau Restricted Data
Within the Census, qualified researchers can access microdata in the areas of Economic, Demographic, and Longitudinal Employer Household Dynamics.
Economic Data
Within this restricted data set, there are six broad areas of information, including economic, business register, establishment, firm, and transactions. The broad areas comprise 47 microdata sets.
Demographic Data
This large swath of information about the American population includes widely used datasets such as the American Community Survey, the Current Population Survey, and the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Currently, Census provides 18 areas of demographic data.
Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD)
LEHD data provide local labor market information on job level quarterly earnings, where workers live and work, and characteristics of industry.
UMETRICS
UMETIRCS provides unique microdata on research grants and projects linked to Census Bureau data on employment and employers.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Restricted Data
NCHS documents the health status of the US population and selected subgroups and supports biomedical and health services research. NCHS produces data on health indicators, such as health insurance coverage, prevalence of health conditions, exposure to environmental chemicals, and infant mortality. NCHS’s data collection system includes the major categories of Population Surveys, Vital Records, Provider Surveys, and Historical Surveys.
Additionally, NCHS provides data on the practice of medicine, such as use of resources and changes in the health care delivery system. NCHS collects data from birth and death certificates, medical records, personal interviews, and other sources.
At KRDC researchers have access to restricted data from leading surveys such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the National Survey of Family Growth, the National Vital Statistics System, and the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey/National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Many of these data have been linked to the National Death Index, claims data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and benefits from the Social Security Administration.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Restricted Data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has agreed to make certain BLS restricted datasets available through the FSRDC network. Currently, BLS is piloting researcher access to restricted data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth, the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, Employer Cost for Employee Compensation, and microdata on international and producer prices. BLS makes many more of their restricted data products available at BLS headquarters in Washington, DC, and it is anticpated that many of these will be added to the FSRDC network in future years.
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Restricted Data
The Bureau of Economic Analysis makes certain BEA restricted datasets available through the FSRDC network. These restricted datasets cover U.S. multinational firms worldwide (BE-10/11), foreign multinational firms in the U.S. (BE-12/15), trade in selected services and intellectual property (BE-120/125), and trade in financial services (BE-180/BE-185). BEA will continue to add more restricted data to its offerings.