MNRDC NEWSLETTER | FALL 2020
COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Update: COVID-19 Operations
During the initial FSRDC closure, the Census Bureau expanded a pilot project for virtual access to the FSRDC. Researchers using some Census Bureau datasets are now eligible for virtual access. We also reopened the physical FSRDC in July for those projects that do not qualify for virtual access. The re-opening plans and procedures are governed by the MnRDC Sunrise Plan, which was developed to meet the safety goals of the University of Minnesota Sunrise Plan and the Census Bureau COVID-19 Task Force. If you would like to learn more about the MnRDC Sunrise plan or whether or not your project is eligible for the Virtual RDC pilot, please email Cathy ([email protected]) or Rachelle ([email protected]) for more information.
Proposal development and webinars
Do you have an idea for a research project that you’d like to work on? Feel free to contact Rachelle Hill directly to discuss possible research, including those that address COVID-related research questions. Rachelle and Cathy Fitch are also available for webinar presentations to departments, describing data resources and the application process. We can tailor these presentations to the audience, and these can be 15 to 45 minutes long. Let us know if you have a seminar, grad training event or other venue to talk about the FSRDC. Contact Rachelle at [email protected].
DATA ANNOUNCEMENTS
Social Security Administration (SSA) data linked to SIPP and CPS
A new agreement between the Census Bureau and the Social Security Administration has been finalized which allows FSRDC researchers to request access to several different types of administrative records from SSA and link them to either the CPS or the SIPP. Please contact Rachelle for more information.
NEW RDC PROJECT!
Update Race Bridging Coefficients
Investigator: Carolyn Liebler
Some data products in the United States (e.g., the census) allow for multiple-race reporting, while others (e.g., cancer registries) do not. The difference in these data collection methods requires multiple-race responses to be “bridged” into single-race categories to create consistent denominators when calculating rates such as race-specific cancer incidence rates. Liebler is replicating and expanding prior work using NHIS multiple-race respondents' single-race choices to generate coefficients predicting multiple-race respondents’ single “best” race. The output from this work will be applied to public-use decennial census and American Community Survey microdata to estimate the number of people who would have reported a small number of race/ethnicity categories. In coming years, IPUMS-USA will utilize this information to update the RACESING and PROB* variables.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Opportunity to Co-Sponsor Seminar Talks
We know that some departments are proceeding with plans for seminars this year, even if they are virtual. We’re happy to co-sponsor events that bring FSRDC scholars to your department to talk about research produced within the FSRDC network. Funds are available to help defray any travel costs (when we’re doing that again). Contact Cathy at [email protected].
FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
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MNRDC USER NEWS
Upcoming Holidays and Events
10/12 - Federal Holiday
10/15-10/16 - Rachelle out of the office
11/6 - Rachelle out of the office
11/11 - Federal Holiday
11/26 - Federal Holiday
11/27 - Rachelle out of the office
12/25 - Federal Holiday
1/1 - Federal Holiday
As a federal facility, the RDC is not supported on federal holidays. Additional information regarding coverage on days that I am out of the office will be sent closer to the dates listed above.
Minnesota Research Data Center (MnRDC) is part of the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers.