Enhancements to Real-Time Remote Access (RTRA) by Statistics Canada: 2011 Update

1. Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) #10 David Price October 2011

2. Real Time Remote Access • On-line remote access facility allowing users to run more or less in real-time, data analyses on microdata located in a central, secure location. • Tabular frequencies only - SAS only • Limited to particular household surveys data sets • Confidentiality automated • No primary manual intervention • Deemed employee status not required • Ability to interrogate RTRA micro data at any time* • Access from any computer with internet access, using a secure username and password - No travel to RDCs Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

3. RTRA system process • RTRA System comprises other corporate systems • CRMS • EFT • Pre-Scan & processing in SAS • Disclosure control post scan via custom program Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

4. General Social Survey (GSS) – Cycle 19, 20, and 23 National Graduates Survey (NGS) – Class of 1986, 2000 and 2005 Aboriginal Children’s Survey (ACS) – 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) - 2001 and 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) - 2006 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) – Cycle 4.1 and 4.2 Survey of Labor and Income Dynamics Labor Force Survey Datasets Available through the Pilot System Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

5. How RTRA can be used • Rapid Access • Allows for quick access to data in order to respond to ministerial requests • Allows researchers the capacity to perform extractions to judge the feasibility of a project prior to submitting a formal proposal • Complement to projects in the FRDC • Component of indirect access • Speed up access in FRDC during entry into system • Allow for follow up submissions when unable to enter the center Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

6. RTRA usage 2010/11 The uptake of the RTRA was underwhelming during the early part of 2010/11, however it picked up considerably during the fall and winter. • Over 35 users have signed up for the RTRA system • Several users making regular submissions User feedback is the key element for us to make the RTRA into a truly relevant tool for the research community. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

7. Feedback received 2010/11 Several key issues were communicated to Statistics Canada on how to improve the service. • Researchers want fast access that is uninhibited by administrative process • More key data sets were required (LFS, SLID and the Census) • Submission using SPSS • Data Quality indicators • Additional statistical output other than frequencies Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

8. Actions taken to improve the RTRA 2010/11 • Streamline the application process, resulted in our “Rapid Access” for policy researchers. • Custom SLID application to take advantage of SLIDRET. • The use of the RTRA was made available to all federal departments. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

9. Further Actions to Improve the RTRA 2011/12 The focus of the development for the 2011-2012 fiscal year will address the outstanding issues communicated to the RTRA project team. • Data Quality Indicators (end of October) • Means, medians/percentiles • Confidentiality rules for ratios and proportions • Census integration plan • Work with our corporate tools group on a tabulation interface. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

10. RTRA for the Academic Community Academic pilot project objectives • Establish process to manage student access • Determine usage capacity Access managed through subscriptions similar to the DLI. • Data librarian type role to confirm students affiliation • Annual fee Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

11. Future plans for RTRA • Census and small Geographies • Administrative data • Analytical Modeling Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada