Policy makers need information about the nation—ranging from trends in the overall
economy down to the use by individuals of Medicare—in order to evaluate existing
programs and to develop new ones. This information often comes from research
based on data about individual people, households, and businesses and other organizations,
collected by statistical agencies.
The benefit of increasing data accessibility to researchers and analysts is better
informed public policy. To realize this benefit, a variety of modes for data access—
including restricted access to confidential data and unrestricted access to appropriately
altered public-use data—must be used. The risk of expanded access to potentially
sensitive data is the increased probability of breaching the confidentiality of the
data and, in turn, eroding public confidence in the data collection enterprise.
Indeed, the statistical system of the United States ultimately depends on the willingness
of the public to provide the information on which research data are based.
Expanding Access to Research Data issues guidance on how to more fully exploit
these tradeoffs. The panel's recommendations focus on needs highlighted by legal,
social, and technological changes that have occurred during the last decade.
Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1 Introduction
2 The Changed Landscape
3 Benefits of Access
4 Risks of Access: Potential Confidentiality Breaches and Their Consequences
5 Reconciling the Benefits and Risks of Expanded Data Access
References
Appendix A Workshop Summary
Appendix B Biographical Sketches of Panel Members and Staff