UWO RDC

Welcome to the UWO RDC. In centre, we have 12 workstations available for use by researchers. Each station will have different software installed, so please be sure to either check in with the posting on the front board, or with your analyst, to confirm which one is best suited for the work you are looking to complete. You are also encouraged to reach out to the analysts on duty with any questions pertaining to centre access, as well as data access and availability.

Upon gaining access to the centre, you will be added to our mailing list. Through this, we keep researchers updated on data availability, any changes to our daily operations (i.e., closures, change of hours), as well as opportunities through Statistics Canada and the CRDCN.

If you have any questions, or would like to receive our monthly newsletters for updates, then please email us at rdc@uwo.ca. Thank you!

RDC Data Alternatives: Conducting Research Outside of the RDC

Following the various challenges faced during the COVID-19 Pandemic, alternate methods for accessing data and carrying out research have been developed for RDC researchers who are unable to come into the centre. In particular, the Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) program offers one alternative way to access confidential Statistics Canada data. Other options include using the Statistics Canada public use files and analyzing data from other sources.

The presenters, data librarians from Western Libraries discussed the differences between the data that can be accessed through the RTRA the RDC. RTRA data is a very useful option for some types of questions but also has some important limitations. Also discussed was public use files and custom tabulations and descriptions of how to access them.

In addition, the presenters highlighted alternative sources of data from Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere that are similar to the Statistics Canada master datasets. These may be particularly useful for graduate students who may not be able to come into the RDC but who need to conduct analyses that are more sophisticated than the RTRA or public use files will permit.

Delivered online to users of the Western Research Data Centre, 30 April 2020.

Details can be found on Scholarship@Western

About the Research Data Centre @ Western

The Statistics Canada Research Data Centre at Western University, with branch at the University of Windsor, provides access to detailed data for research, promotes the use of data through associated training, and assists in the dissemination of research results.

The RDC@Western opened in 2004 and is part of a network of 30 Statistics Canada Research Data Centres and associated Branches in Canadian universities.