Microdata schemes in Statistics Denmark
Statistics Denmark’s Research Service provides microdata (i.e. individual/single company data) for specific research, investigation and analysis tasks for authorised research/analysis environments. We have a number of different schemes for accessing data
Researcher scheme
Researchers and other analysts from authorised research institutions can create a project with access to Statistics Denmark’s register data, provided that their institution is authorised for the scheme.
Read more about the authorisation of research institutions
Research projects
In order to create a new project, you must fill in the project proposal in Denmark's Data Portal. Read more about how to use Denmark’s Data Portal
Project databases
If your institution is authorised for microdata schemes at Statistics Denmark, has a large analytical environment and carries out a significant number of projects at Statistics Denmark, with significant overlaps in the data base, it may be relevant to get a project database scheme.
As a starting point, all authorised institutions can have a project database scheme set up. However, it is a requirement that the authorised institution can carry out the task of having its own project database manager. Each project database is created on a case-by-case basis and requires approval from the Head of Research Service in Statistics Denmark.
When the institution wishes to create a subproject, the project database manager must submit a project proposal, stating that the subproject uses data from the project database. The recommendation also contains the same information as other projects implemented through the microdata schemes.
The project database is the main project in the project database scheme. Other projects in the project database scheme are sub-projects to the project database. The authorised institution, which owns the project database scheme, therefore owns both the main project and the sub-projects of the scheme.
A project database is a collection of many different pseudonymised microdata, which over time is used for several different projects in the project database scheme. A project database can include extracts from Statistics Denmark’s registers and data from other sources, e.g. the customer’s own data used for several different projects under the project database. Data used in only one or a few projects cannot be included in the project database. The data content of project databases is subject to the data minimisation principle. Data in the project database must be available as SAS data files.
The service tasks for a project database consist of updates and possibly extensions of the data content. These tasks are treated as service tasks for projects. Invoices are made for the service tasks performed in connection with the project database.
A project database scheme, and the associated project database, can be created after approval by the Head of Research Service in Statistics Denmark followed by the making of a project database agreement. Project databases are subject to the following conditions:
- The institution is required to appoint one to three project database manager(s) to act as a permanent contact person for Statistics Denmark. Only project database managers will have access to the project database itself.
- Users’ access to pseudonymised data for each subproject created with data from the project database remains subject to the data minimisation principle.
- The user will pay for all costs associated with the creation, operation and maintenance of the respective project database. In addition, service tasks relating to subprojects that make use of the project database are paid under the same conditions as for other projects.
- A project database may be maintained as long as it is used for specific sub-projects, but may be dismantled or restricted if it is not used to an extent reasonable with the amount of data made available in the project database. When a project database is created, a date of termination is agreed. If necessary, an extension can be agreed with Statistics Denmark.
The agreement establishing a project database scheme and associated project database have to be signed by the responsible head of the authorised institution requesting the project database.
The authority scheme
Statistics Denmark’s authority scheme provides microdata to the institutions that carry out regulatory tasks, i.e. departments, agencies and directorates, regions and municipalities. The scheme responds to their need for ad hoc analysis with short deadlines.
If you wish to apply for access to the scheme, you have to contact DST Consulting. If access is approved, the rest of the application process takes place in collaboration with Research Service’s authority team
What data can be accessed?
The authority scheme is based on a written agreement between a given department, agency, directorate, region or municipality and Statistics Denmark. The description of the purpose determines which subject areas and registers the authority has access to. The data available is determined on the basis of a “need-to-know” assessment. This means that the authority has access to the data that they consider it is professionally relevant to have access to.
You do not have to draw up a project proposal (as in the current researcher scheme) every time you have to analyse data. The authorities, on the other hand, have quick and flexible access to the entire package of data contained in the purpose description. If the need changes over time, Statistics Denmark must be informed. Data access will then be adapted to the new needs. If the authority wishes to have tailored data prepared for a specific purpose, this data can be provided through the authority scheme.
How to get access
Step 1: The initial contact
Contact DST Consulting to find out if your institution can become part of the authority scheme.
Step 2: Negotiation of content and price
If your institution is eligible for an authority scheme, the process will be taken over by Research Service’s Authority Team. The authority shall make a proposal on which registers, variables and time series are needed. Research Service is happy to provide guidance in this process. When the description is agreed, DST Consulting calculates a final price offer. At this stage, the conditions for updates of both Statistics Denmark’s data as well as other data requested are also agreed. The price consists of a basic price for administration, SAS licenses and disk space, as well as a price for data extraction and input of data.
Step 4: Access to data by analysts
Once the scheme is approved and established in the Research Service, the authority may itself associate employees who must have access to the scheme in the administration system FSE-BOA. Employees who do not already have access to FSE-BOA must be created by the Research Service before they can be associated with the scheme.
Step 5: Data analysis
Data will be made available on a dedicated server at Statistics Denmark, where there is, among other things, access to SAS. If you want access to other analytical programs than the already available or your own server, this can be agreed further with Research Service.
The Law Model
The law model is also an authority system, but it has its own purpose, its own user group and thus its own rules and conditions. The law model is used for minister service and pre-legislative work. DST Consulting administers the law model.
The law model can be contacted Monday-Friday 8:30 to 16:30 at lovmodellen@dst.dk //tel: 39 17 31 55//mobile: 23 30 84 78
The law model is used for minister service and pre-legislative work. This includes, among other things, contributions to the Government’s Economic and Coordination Committee, answers to parliamentary questions and § 20-questions, preparation of government publications, feasibility studies for reform work and contributions to commission work.
The target group of the law model is ministries and agencies. The law model consists of two parts: A data base — the so-called “model populations” — as well as a set of models based on the data base. Since its creation in 1978, the Law Model has been used for a number of analytical purposes. The construction of a law model — including a separate database and preparedness — is fundamentally necessary to ensure good quality in the performance of the purpose.
The purpose of the law model justifies, among other things, that the scheme, as something special, makes it possible for ministries and agencies to work together on projects, and that the law model’s data administrators have the opportunity to design, develop and refine the data base in a secure and flexible manner.
Data confidentiality and access rules
Access to data may be granted in accordance with the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation, in particular Article 5 C: Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed (‘data minimisation’). And section 10 of the Data Protection Act: Data as mentioned in Article 9(1) and Article 10 of the General Data Protection Regulation may be processed where the processing takes place for the sole purpose of carrying out statistical or scientific studies of significant importance to society and where such processing is necessary in order to carry out these studies.