Cook tcm6 20178

Micro-data in China : 

Micro-data in China Sarah Cook Institute of Development Studies and James Keeley International Institute for Environment and Development University of Sussex

The Study – key questions: 

The Study – key questions Through extensive interviews and review of data sources: What are the main national social science data sources available through government agencies at national and sub-national levels? What other social science data sources are available (e.g. sample surveys by academic institutions, commercial survey groups, etc.)? What are the current restrictions on access to and use of social science data by overseas researchers? What are the options for negotiating access and use of such data – whether for public access or on a case by case basis for specific projects?

Outline of key issues: 

Outline of key issues Availability: China collects good quality national survey data, administrative data and smaller sample surveys. However, there is limited availability of meta data or accompanying information. The quality of data is reasonably high, although problems can be identified. The main issue is one of accessibility: macro / aggregate data is readily accessible but micro data is extremely difficult for Chinese or international scholars to use. Various constraints and barriers to access can be identified, but opportunities exist for greater sharing within China and internationally

China’s data collection system: 

China’s data collection system National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) responsible for national statistics and national accounts NBS is also the regulatory and supervisory body for data collection and implementation of National Statistics Law Administrative data (collected by government agencies) Academic and research institutions (including government, university, private) Other (e.g. public opinion firms, market research)

Key categories of micro-data: 

Key categories of micro-data censuses (e.g. population, economic, and agricultural censuses) (NBS); national sample surveys including 1% and 10/00 sample surveys of demographic change; labour force; rural and urban households; etc. (NBS); administrative data reported by government line agencies; surveys undertaken by government agencies, e.g. Ministry of Agriculture (RCRE) longitudinal fixed point survey; Ministry of Health (often in conjunction with NBS); small scale sample surveys undertaken by academic, government and other institutions. Only a few have nationally representative samples; many are of limited value due to quality of sampling or implementation.

Examples of National Data~ Population, Labour and Health: 

Examples of National Data ~ Population, Labour and Health

Data are available but hard to access : 

Data are available but hard to access Most micro-data collected by government are extremely hard and costly to access. Easy access only to macro (aggregate) data creates problems – even for general descriptive overview e.g. lack of gender disaggregation). Limited availability of good quality meta data. High transaction costs of negotiation of terms and cost of use (including for Chinese users). Limited interaction between users and producers of data.

Some data are more easily accessible: 

Some data are more easily accessible Small sample surveys collected by leading research institutions. Data supported by international funders ~ Terms of funding often require open access (subject to some conditions): Numerous small-scale surveys exist but only a limited number are of sufficiently good quality. Those by leading institutions and international funding tend to be high quality. Are often accessible for small fee or through personal relationships or through collaborative project. For example…

Data collected and held by CASS Institute of Population and Labour Economics : 

Data collected and held by CASS Institute of Population and Labour Economics

Internationally funded data sets: 

Internationally funded data sets

Summary: availability and access: 

Summary: availability and access Almost all micro-data in China are difficult to access – statistical data, administrative data, and even data collected by researchers. The current environment is not conducive to direct access to data, especially nationally representative micro-data sets collected by NBS. The major exception is research survey data involving Chinese academics where there has been international funding and where open access to the data has been stipulated by funders.

What are the barriers to access?: 

What are the barriers to access? Restrictions of the legal environment, in particular, the content or interpretation of the Statistical Law. Specific conditions relating to providing social science data to foreigners: special permissions needed from NBS if foreigners are to be involved in a survey / data collection, or to be provided with primary data. Risk of making data available - potential ‘misuse’ of data for which data collectors may ultimately be held responsible. Attitudes towards data sharing and its public use. Data viewed as a marketable commodity not as a public good.

Barriers to access: legal environment: 

Barriers to access: legal environment Laws and regulations are a critical issue both for those seeking to access to micro-data (users), and for those seeking to place data in the public domain (producers). Four main types of regulation exist which place limitations on access to original data: rules on data protection and protecting the anonymity of data subjects rules on state secrets, endangering national security or economic and social stability rules on who can carry out surveys rules on releasing data to foreigners Lack of clarity means responsibility for ‘misuse’ of data by others could be blamed on collectors of original data.

Risks to data producers: 

Risks to data producers ‘Grey areas’ or lack of clarity in relation to what counts as sensitive information, inappropriate use of information, and who can be held responsible. Data viewed as politically sensitive, for instance, include school dropout rates and unemployment data. Result is that both government and academic research community are risk-averse in sharing information. Researchers can present analysis based on primary data in academic and government policy communities, but this might become more sensitive if picked up in the media and e.g. used to highlight social problems. Researchers aim to avoid negative repercussions if analysis by a ‘secondary user’ results in media or other attention.

Other barriers to access: 

Other barriers to access Data are not regarded as a public good (even when publicly funded) – data is often not shared even among government or NBS departments. Cultural attitudes place little value on sharing data. Competition among researchers or institutions for publications and outputs. Little recognition attached to production of good quality data (e.g. if used by other researchers). Data as a commodity: use of data as an economic resource to generate income. Few incentives for cooperation e.g. in creating data banks for shared use.

Practical obstacles to making data public: 

Practical obstacles to making data public Lack of accessible information about what data exists in particular fields. Lack of good meta-data especially in English. Costs of preparing data for public use. Potential time for responding to questions by other users and managing public access data. High costs of translation of associated descriptive materials or meta data. No institutions or funding sources dedicated to managing data in public domain or funding above activities.

Problems facing ‘users’: 

Problems facing ‘users’ Chinese and international researchers both face problems of access. Domestically there is limited sharing across research institutions and limited access to government or NBS data. Especially for international researchers, difficulties of accessing information about existing data sets and related meta data. Data use generally needs to be negotiated (and paid for) on a case-by-case basis, with high financial and transaction costs (even for major actors such as World Bank). Access depends principally on building relationships and research collaboration with researchers or institutes in China. Even then, restrictions are often placed on use which can make analysis more time consuming.

Promising developments do exist…: 

Promising developments do exist… CASS discussion of data / resource library. Beijing University (CCER) with support from Michigan – archive of older data sets. ISDPP Beijing Normal University – Social Policy Analysis Information Center. Other initiatives in areas of health and population (with international funding).

What more can be done? : 

What more can be done? Create incentives for making data a ‘public good’ Increase resources to document existing micro and meta data in a consistent format Strengthen the capacity and financing to clean, document and manage data sets for greater accessibility Invest in institutional infrastructure such as data archives for ease of access and sharing Reducing the risks and clarify regulations on data use and sharing Funders conditions for making data public

What can ESRC offer China?: 

What can ESRC offer China? Possible financial or technical assistance. Respond to interest among Chinese institutes in data management, preparation and related services. Identify and work with institutions concerned with making data more open. Training courses and sharing of training materials. Create easily accessible information / data base of available data sets or contacts. Provide access to international data sets of interest to Chinese researchers. Reciprocal arrangements with UK or EU research institutions or data banks.