Restricted Data

L.A.FANS has created four versions of Restricted Data, which are increasing in the number or variables and their detail, as well as in the level of data security required.

Only researchers employed by an organization with a current Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) Certificate can apply to use the Restricted Data.

Access to any of the four versions of Restricted Data requires a contract between the RAND Corporation and the Restricted Data User's home institution. The application process includes a Preliminary and Final application and a processing fee.

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Version 1

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Version 1 is the lowest level of restricted data. It includes all individual characteristics reported in the household interviews. It also includes variables describing distance between geographic locations (e.g., home and work) and a pseudo tract identification number that links households in the same tract (a randomly-assigned number from 1 to 65 that is not related to the actual census tract number). Users are thus able to estimate multilevel statistical models but cannot link additional community-level data.

Access to these data requires a contract and a processing fee of $100.

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Version 2

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Version 2 is the middle level of restricted data that adds actual census tract number and the ability to link neighborhood characteristics to individual and household data in L.A.FANS. It includes the 1990 census tract numbers which provide an easy link to the data from the decennial censuses and other sources.

Access to these data requires a contract and a processing fee of $500.

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Version 2.5

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Version 2.5 is the mid-high level of restricted data that adds census block number to the individual records, which allows researchers to link neighborhood characteristics at a finer geographic level than census tract. This version also includes the name and identifying code for the schools attended by each child in the sample.

Access to these data requires a contract and a processing fee of $500. Also required are additional data protection steps over and above those required for Version 2.

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Version 3

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Version 3 is the highest level of restricted data that adds geographic coordinates to individual records. It includes the geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) of addresses for several important locations from respondents' daily lives (e.g., location of home, work, place of worship). It also includes the day of birth for birthdates collected in the survey. Access to these data requires the use of a secure data enclave, a contract, and a processing fee of $500.

Extensions and Renewals for L.A.FANS Restricted Data

Researchers and project team members may use the data only for the time period specified on the Restricted Use Data Agreement, or, if no dates are specified, for two years from the effective date of the contract.

As specified in the Restricted Data Use Agreement, the Restricted Data Investigator must submit an Annual Report for each year the agreement is active.

Restricted Data Users may extend or renew their agreements to use the data.

Extensions

Restricted Data Users who are up-to-date with their Annual Reports may request an extension of their use of the data for up to one year.

To request an extension, please submit the following items:

A written request for continued use of the Restricted Data, including the reasons for the request (maximum length of one page);
A completed and signed Extension Request Form; and
A check for $100 to cover administrative costs.

Renewals

Restricted Data Users who would like to continue using the data for more than one year beyond their original contract and are up-to-date with their Annual Reports may request a contract renewal. A single contract renewal can be requested for a period of up to three years.

To request a renewal, please submit the following items:

A written request for continued use of the Restricted Data, including the reasons for the request (maximum length of one page);
A revised Data Protection Plan (or written assurance that the plan has not changed);
A check for $250.00 to cover administrative costs; and
A completed Renewal Request Form.

Only a single extension can be requested. Continued uses of the L.A.FANS Restricted Data would require the submission of a new application.

At the end of the Agreement, Restricted Data Users must return the data to RAND along with an End of Contract form.

L.A.FANS Restricted Data Agreements FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about L.A.FANS Restricted Data agreements are available here. Contact us by e-mail at lasurveyquest@rand.org for any additional information or for answers to other questions.

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