Microdata files

Microdata files are sample collections of elementary data relating to a number of surveys conducted by Istat.

The data are transmitted to parties providing a valid reason for their request, do not contain information for direct identification and in any case following procedures which do not enable them to be linked to individual natural and/or legal persons.

Istat may transmit two types of microdata file to external users of Sistan:

• i Standard files

• i Files for research purposes.

Sistan agencies, in contrast, may access specific Files for Sistan.

Standard files

Standard files regard a number of surveys conducted on individuals and households and are issued upon request with a valid reason for research or study purposes. To acquire Standard files the requesting party must:

• briefly outline the purposes of use of the data;
• indicate the place where the data are to be kept and processed;
• undertake to use the data solely for the purposes declared;
• undertake not to provide third parties with elementary data, allowing access, under its sole responsibility, on the part of people directly involved in the work for which the data have been requested.

To acquire such files it is necessary to register at the Cont@ct centre. Once registration has been completed, or for users already registered, the request must be formulated by selecting, in the Cont@ct centre the area “Collezioni campionarie di dati elementari (file standard)" (Sample collections of elementary data (standard files)) and filling in the on-line request form.

For reference purposes only, a facsimile of the data request form is provided.

List of Standard files

Files for research purposes

Files for research purposes are produced in relation to statistical surveys regarding individuals and households as well as enterprises, and are created specifically for the purposes of scientific research and thus contain a greater level of detail in comparison with Standard files. The issue of such files is subject to the fulfilment of certain requirements, both subjective, relating to the requesting party’s organisation, and objective, relating to the characteristics of the research project for which the file is requested. Files for research purposes may be requested exclusively by:

• subjects belonging to universities or research bodies and institutions to which the "Ethical code for the processing of statistical data outside Sistan"applies;
• other subjects in possession of Eurostat requirements for the purpose of provision of microdata files in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) no. 831/2002.

An essential requirement for the issue of this type of file is the presentation of a research project documenting that data are processed for actual statistical or scientific purposes that are pertinent to the data requested.
The request for files for research purposes is signed by a representative of the organisation (legal representative or any other person authorised, in accordance with relevant legislation, to express the commitment of the requesting organisation and to render said commitment binding with regard to third parties) and indicates the project’s scientific director and any other organisations taking part in the research itself. The request is subjected to evaluation in order to verify that it satisfies all relevant requirements. In the event of the request being accepted, the project’s scientific director, who must comply with specific terms and conditions concerning the use of the microdata, is informed of procedures for downloading the file.

List of Files for research purposes

To acquire these files registration at the Cont@ct centre is required by the project’s scientific director. Once registration has been completed, or for users already registered, the request must be formulated by selecting, in the Cont@ct centre the area File di microdati per la ricerca (Microdata files for research purposes) and filling in the on-line form.

For reference purposes only, a facsimile of the data request form is provided.

Files for Sistan

Requests for elementary data by Sistan departments

Directive no. 9 issued by Comstat (Committee for Directing and Co-ordinating Statistical Information), “Criteria and procedures concerning the communication of personal data within the National Statistical System”, brings Sistan fully into line with legislation concerning the protection of personal data (Legislative Decree 196/03 and ethical code of conduct). The directive deals with the transmission of previously collected personal data to a statistics bureau or agency or any other party in the System (in this specific case Istat) which requests them for statistical purposes. Such as request may be made for the purpose of implementing the National Statistical Programme (PSN) or for the purpose of processing statistical data in connection with the institutional activities or local area of competence of the requesting party. In the second case (not in connection with the PSN) a brief description of the project must be provided. In addition, attention is drawn to the fact that the transmission of personal data with information containing unique identification data must be limited to exceptional cases in which it is absolutely and strictly necessary (in which it is impossible to achieve established objectives without information for identification). The signer of the request assumes full responsibility with regard to the applicability of this condition.

In order to acquire information or microdata files the requesting party (director of the statistics Department or data controller/supervisor for public Bodies and Boards providing statistical information) must register at the Cont@ct centre. Once registration has been completed, or for users already registered, the request must be formulated by selecting, in the Cont@ct centre the area: “Dati elementari per uffici Sistan”(Elementary data for Sistan departments) and filling in the on-line form.

For reference purposes only, a facsimile of the data request form is provided.