the Panel on Confidentiality and Data Access, which at the time had not yet been convened.

The Workshop on Confidentiality of and Access to Doctorate Records, chaired by George T. Duncan and held November 4–5, 1988, was convened by CNSTAT and SSRC. The purposes of the workshop were to determine if and how mechanisms for allowing greater researcher access to data from the Doctorate Records File and the Survey of Doctorate Records could be developed without compromising the confidentiality of the data and to identify issues that would be important for the proposed Panel on Confidentiality and Data Access to address.

Workshop participants discussed various approaches for providing increased access to the Doctorate Records File and the Survey of Doctorate Records. Topics discussed included the creation of public-use data files with all information that would allow identification of the respondent removed; modification of statements of use; providing respondents an opportunity to approve or disapprove of the proposed uses of the data; development of signed agreements that clearly define users responsibilities in maintaining the confidentiality of the data; and providing remote access to the data through a ''gatekeeper," who would monitor access requests and ensure adherence to any confidentiality provisions associated with the remote access. The general conclusion of participants was that the tension between confidentiality and data access could not be resolved by any one action.

The panel's Workshop on Confidentiality of and Access to National Center for Education Statistics Data, chaired by William M. Mason, was held in January 1991. The purposes of the workshop were to investigate confidentiality and access issues as they apply to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and to obtain information for the panel's deliberations. Participants from the educational research community, federal government, education associations, and state departments of education were invited to attend the workshop. Panel members also attended the meeting.

Front Matter (R1-R14)

Executive Summary (1-14)

1 Principles and Problems (15-44)

2 The Framework of Study (45-60)

3 Data Subjects (61-90)

4 Data Users (91-108)

5 Legislation (109-140)

6 Technical and Administrative Procedures (141-180)

7 Statistical Data on Organizations (181-202)

8 Managing Confidentiality and Data Access Functions (203-218)

Recommendations (219-228)

References (229-242)

Appendix A: Study Procedures (243-258)

Appendix B: Biographical Sketches (259-265)

Index (266-274)