In November 2015 the University of Twente and Statistics Netherlands (CBS) signed a partnership agreement. Thanks to this agreement our researchers can now take advantage of the extensive data collections of CBS. The CBS data hold all data collected by Dutch government and a lot of public bodies.
There are three ways to make use of the CBS data:
- CBS StatLine database: more than 3400 freely and directly available statistical datasets, consisting mainly of tables and figures. These data are based on observations and can be used to gain insight into phenomena in Dutch society or to formulate, monitor and evaluate policies.
- CBS StatLine Open Data: statistical data in StatLine can be provided in the form of datasets via Open Data.
- CBS Microdata: anonymized data at the level of private individuals or companies. These data are more detailed and more specific than the StatLine data, and can even be combined with your own datasets. You analyse the microdata of CBS from any secure workplace via a secure Internet connection (Remote Access). More specific information on accessing Microdata an on overview of available data can be found in the Microdata catalogue. To get permission to use the CBS Microdata, follow the steps described below.
Procedures
All microdata will remain in the secure CBS environment. Researchers only have access to the data needed for their own research. Researchers use the secure environment made available to them, in which they can store draft versions, syntaxes and output. If they wish to export (draft) results from the secured environment, the export will be carried out by CBS, read CBS info on Export of Information. If you wish to export (draft) results from the secured environment, CBS will check whether your results do not contain any disclosure risk.
Please note:
- The entire process (from handing in your first research proposal to actually accessing the data you required) may take a few weeks, depending on the exact request.
- There are costs involved in using CBS Microdata (see service catalogue). The fees which apply to microdata research depend on the number of participating researchers, the number of dataset subjects and the duration of the project, among others.
Request permission to use CBS Microdata:
- To apply for access to Microdata you have to submit an excel application form research project and the pdf template for the research proposal. Fill in the forms and mail this to microdata@cbs.nl. You don’t have to fill in the form completely when it’s your first application, CBS will contact you and help you further.
- Formulate the research project together with CBS, specifying the required datasets and costs, you may also receive a discount via ODISSEI microdata arrangement.
Using the CBS remote access terminal:
As from 1 July 2017 CBS has changed the procedures for analyse of the CBS microdata via Remote Access. Instead of the Remote Access facility at Ravelijn, CBS now works with a personal token and password, which can be used from any secure workplace via a secure Internet connection.
Working with microdata requires adherence to a number of rules. These can be found at the CBS page on Rules and sanctioning policy.
