1. Introduction to the Researcher Services Unit’s work at Statistics Finland
Marianne Johnson, Researcher. Services
Study Visit of Statistical Services of Ukraine,

2. Research Services for microdata
Research services for microdata handle user license requests for unit level data based on register and survey data at Statistics Finland
The centralized Research services –unit has been operating since June 2010
Our services are located in the Standards and Methods -division
The director of the division is Mr. Timo Koskimäki and the head of unit is Mr. Jussi Heino. We have a staff of 20 persons.
Main tasks:
produce both ready-made data and tailored data sets for researchers
participate in development work and research projects
manage and develop the remote access system
develop and maintain microsimulation model for income transfers and taxation
Our service is financed partly by customers and partly from our budget. Data and technical guidance is included in the service.

3. Short history ( viewpoint of MJ)
Statistics Finland’s interview –unit has long tradition of gathering data ordered by researchers alongside regular data gathering
Research data produced in co-operation between Statistics Finland and researchers
Example: EKSY (living conditions and cause of death –data set
Cause of death data added to census data
Data file produced every 5th year since 1970
Different procedures for data dissemination:
First the whole EKSY dataset was handed over to Helsinki university ( )
The EKSY datasets were compiled and stored at Statistics Finland. Personnel at SF compiled analyses and tables on demand from researchers (1990)
Researchers obtained an anonymized 11% sample of data from > (2000)
Whole EKSY data to be used over remote access system (2015 ?)

4. Short history (cont.)
Since 1980th each Statistics Unit ( Enterprises, Wellbeing and Population) had their own office for special compilations and tailor made data files
Customers paid for number of hours used for their specific project
In 1994 the Unit for Current Reports was established within the Population Statistics Unit
Main tasks were to:
Conduct ordered statistical surveys from the data available at Statistics Finland
Curate and depict the data stored at Statistics Finland to facilitate its use
-> longitudinal data files:
Produce tailored data sets for researchers
The Research laboratory was established in 2003 to make enterprise level data available for researchers
9 November 2018
Etunimi Sukunimi

5. Changes in legislation
Before the Statistics Act of 1994
Anonymized data sets were produced for researchers
When including data that Statistics Finland had received from other register keepers for producing statistics a special permit had to be obtained
New Statistics Act in 1994 (2004)
The decision to release data received for statistics production and grant a permission shall always be made by the statistical authority.
Only data were the there is no risk of direct and indirect identification can be delivered to researchers
Data may not be released for use in an investigation, surveillance, legal proceedings, administrative decision-making or other similar handling of a matter concerning an individual, enterprise, corporation or foundation.
9 November 2018
Etunimi Sukunimi

6. Amendment to the law in 2013
In 2013 the Statistics Act was amended to facilitate the use of data gathered at Statistics Finland also for research purposes.
New objective of the Act is
to extend the use of the data collected for statistical purposes in scientific studies and statistical surveys on social conditions.
Possibility for researchers to gain access to confidential data from which only the direct identifiers have been removed.
Before 2013 statistical authorities could not give permission to such confidential data from which the statistical unit could be indirectly identified.
Files intended for public use, e.g. teaching, are developed
9 November 2018
Etunimi Sukunimi

7. Some views on what has led us to the current situation - Amended Statistics Act, Centralized Researcher Services, Remote Access
Increased demand for comprehensive micro-level databases for research purposes
A lot of feedback about high prices and the long time of delivery from researchers
Also feedback about too small samples and too high data protection
Better understanding that customers have to know the sources and variables, possibilities to get data, the price and timetable
One point service instead of multiple contact persons in different statistical units preferred
Personal data in data warehouse since 2007
Easier for non it-specialist to use, better metadata available
EU statistics law 2007/ § on access to confidential data
9 November 2018
Etunimi Sukunimi

8. Readymade datasets available at the Researcher Services Unit at Statistics Finland
Marianne Johnson, Statistics Finland Ukraina Study Visit

9. Many readymade research dataset focusing on enterprise data in English
ENTERPRISE LEVEL DATA
Business Register and Group Register
Financial Statements panel
R&D panel
ICT panel
Patent Register
Innovation Surveys
Business Aid Database
LINKED EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE DATA
Finnish Longitudinal Employer-Employee Data (FLEED)
Structure of Earnings Survey
ESTABLISHMENT LEVEL DATA
Business Register
Industrial Statistics panel
Technology Survey
Commodity Statistics
Employment Statistics panel (labour characteristics)
Worker Flow panel
9 November 2018
Etunimi Sukunimi

10. Readymade datasets focusing on individuals
Basic data ( includes basic socioeconomic data)
Family data
Data on degrees
Labour Force data
Income data
Data from 70 – 85 Censuses
Currently being developed
Data on cohabitating couples
Data on migrants
Data on educational attainments
Linkage data ( families, parents –children, households)
Some Public User files
9 November 2018
Etunimi Sukunimi

11. Interview data related to population and living conditions - Available as service data files or through Eurostat
Adult Education Survey
Time Use Survey
Households' Consumption
Households' Assets
Border Interview Survey
Use of Information and Communications Technology
Income Distribution Statistics
Quality of Work Life Survey
Labour Force Survey
Leisure Survey
9 November 2018
Etunimi Sukunimi

12. Presentation of Remote Access System
Marianne Johnson, Statistics Finland Ukraina Study Visit

13. Remote access system (FIONA)
In use at Statistics Finland since 2009, development project
Model taken from Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands
Researchers use data on Statistics Finland’s server at their own workplace via a secured Internet connection, data remains at SF
Researchers use a Windows remote desktop, and have access to the data they have obtained permission to as well as to metadata
The researchers have access to wide range of statistical programs : STATA, SPSS, R, SAS, Python Anaconda, …
Each research project has its dedicated folders and storage space in the system
Technical maintenance of the FIONA-system transferred to CSC-It Centre for Science in 2015
Number of users and data sets in the remote access system is growing steadily, currently about 150 active users
Statitics Finland /Researcher Services

14. Confidentiality
Research data sets are stored on Statistics Finland’s /CSC’s servers
Only mouse, keyboard and graphic signals are transferred
Access to the system only from preapproved IP-addresses
A disposable SMS password is sent each time the researcher logs in to FIONA
All data transfers from and to FIONA are handled by personnel at the Researcher Services of SF
Outputs are checked so that direct or indirect identification is not possible and files are saved for possible future reference
Access to data is terminated when the permit for the project expires
FIONA environment is separated from the production network
The system will be audited in fall 2015 after being transferred to CSC
Statitics Finland /Researcher Services

15. The cooperation structures with other providers of microdata - the FMAS-project
Marianne Johnson, Statistics Finland Ukraina Study Visit

16. Finnish administrative registers
several comprehensive national registers
contain unit level data on individuals, families, housing, enterprises
compiled and maintained for administrative or statistical purposes, e.g.
Population Register Centre (VRK)
Population information system
Social Insurance Institution (KELA)
Registers on obtained social benefits
National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Medical Birth Register,
Care Registers for Social Welfare and Health Care (HILMO),
Finnish Cancer Register
Ministry of Labour (TEM)
Register over job seekers
Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus)
Statitics Finland /Researcher Services

17.
Statitics Finland /Researcher Services

18. Prerequisites for register-based research
Common personal identification number in all registers
first used in 1964 ( between two different systems)
since 1971 a digital population register
all Finns have a PIN
data from different registers can be linked by PIN e.g.
for research purposes
Legislation that allows the use of confidential personal data for scientific research
Trust in register keepers and researchers
Comprehensive, well documented registers
Statitics Finland /Researcher Services

19. Present process for obtaining register data for research
Authority
Statistics Finland
Handling permit applications
Control and specification
Compiling data-sets @
Researcher responsible of data security and disposal of data sets
Searching for data sets and applying for permits from several different authorities, with varying practices
Delivering data using varying practices
Possible corrections and re-sending
RESEARCHER
Internet € € € €
Data protection Authority
Statitics Finland /Researcher Services

20. FMAS Researcher Remote access system
Services that require permit
Remote desktop for analysing data (programs and tools)
Separated server space for data and metadata
Output service for results, Input service for researcher’s data
Services that require registration
Centralized digital permit application service
Public services
Data catalogue
Helpdesk for research and tuition
Interface service for data and meta data, Pseudonymization
Administration services for user rights
Organiza-tion A
Organiza-tion B
Organiza-tion C
Organiza-tion D
Organiza-tion E
- Commonly agreed metadata standards – Data warehouse Archive of multiple user files
Statitics Finland /Researcher Services

21. What has happened so far ?
Statistics Finland developed Researcher Services and a Remote Access sytem >
The Information Centre for Register Research together with CSC –it Centre for Science received funding from the Ministry of Education
Proposed national system MIDRAS
Vision: Microdata belonging to govenmental agencies, for which permit to use is needed, can be used securly, easily and without much cost through a remote access system
Concern on ministry level that there was two different systems planned
2 work groups appointed by Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance 2010 – 2012
Statistics Finland suggests together with the National Archives an national infrastructure for the Finnish Research Infrastructure Roadmap – is accepted!!
Statitics Finland /Researcher Services

22. National project: Finnish Microdata Access Services
Joint project of Statistics Finland and the National Archives
Part of the Finnish research infrastructure roadmap 2013-
In 2014 the project obtained euro a one year development funding from the Academy of Finland

23. More information THANK YOU! Statistics Finland main page:
Homepage for microdata for research purposes:
Free-to-use StatFin database for aggregate data:
Statistics act:
Research Services can be reached by
THANK YOU!