1. Q: What requirements do I need to meet in order to receive HRS Restricted Data

   A: The two crucial requirements that you must meet in order to access any HRS Restricted Data file are:

   • You must be affiliated with an institution that has an NIH-approved Human Subjects Review Process via a Multiple Projects Assurance.
   • You must be a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on a project funded by a current United States Government research grant or contract. If you are a Co-Principal Investigator, the Principal Investigator must sign the Restricted Data Agreement.

2. Q: I am a researcher who can't meet the requirements summarized in FAQ #1. Is there any way to get HRS Restricted Data for my use?

   A: See if you can work with a researcher at your institution who does meet the requirements noted above. Also, the Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging has opened a restricted data facility which houses HRS Restricted Data. The MiCDA Data Enclave may be used by researchers who cannot meet the usual restricted data requirements.

3. Q: I am a tenured researcher with federal funding who works for a research organization that is not part of an educational institution. Is there any way I could qualify for access to HRS Restricted Data?

   A: In many cases, yes. Contact the Health and Retirement Study for details.

4. Q: I am a researcher with who works for a United States Government Agency. Is there any way that I (or my agency) can qualify for access to HRS Restricted Data?

   A: Yes, contact the Health and Retirement Study for details.

5. Q: I am a faculty member or student at an educational institution located outside the United States who wants to use HRS Restricted Data. How can I gain access to the restricted files listed on this site?

   A: In all likelihood, answer to this question is a negative, since you must meet the basic requirements summarized in FAQ #1; i.e., United States Government funding at an NIH-certified educational or research institution.

6. Q: What computing environments and operating systems do you support?

   A: We distribute our data in formats that are compatible with most computing environments and operating sytems.

   • Environments: Standalone workstation (recommended), private network (recommended), networked workstation (not recommended), client-server (not recommended).
   • Operating Systems: Windows XP/2000, MacOS-X, all flavors of Unix. Contact HRS if your operating system is not on this list.

7. Q: Can researchers at separate institutions gain access to restricted data under the same agreement.

   A: It depends on the specific situation; contact HRS before you submit your proposal.

8. Q: How will the restricted data files be delivered?

   A: The data are stored in a PGP self-decrypting archive (Windows) or PGP static key file (Unix, MacOS) and are delivered on CD-ROM or diskette by courier service.

9. Q: I want to work with HRS Restricted Data as an assistant to a researcher who meets the requirements summarized in FAQ #1. I don't have my own office or computer, but I do have access to a public computing facility. Can I qualify for access to restricted data under these conditions?

   A: No, you must have a private office and your own (non-shared) computer.

Data Management and Analysis FAQs

1. Topic: Using a .dct file to read data into Stata
2. Topic: Windows XP and compressed (ZIP protocol) files

Last change: May 31, 2005