Export data and reports

Export anonymized dataset

sdcApp supports datasets in several foreign data formats. The file formats that are supported for loading microdata are also supported for export (cf. Table 3).

In order to export the file, click on Anonymized Data in the left sidebar on the Export Data tab. The dataset shown is the file as it will be exported. Select the appropriate file format with the radiobuttons underneath the data.

In case the microdata is exported as csv or STATA file, additional options need to be specified. For a csv file, whether first row should include column names, the field separator as well as the decimal separator. For STATA files, the version of STATA needs to be specified. STATA cannot STATA files saved for a higher version.

Option to randomize the order of the records. Order may reveal values, e.g. ordered by region with suppressed region value Need to replace existing ID

In order to export the dataset, click on blue button Save dataset. The dataset is saved to the

By clicking on the blue button Save script to file at the top of the page, the script is saved as R script (extension .R) on disk to the selected storage path on the About/Help tab (see Introduction to sdcApp). The filename of the exported script starts with ‘exportedScript_sdcMicro’ followed by a date and time stamp, e.g., ‘exportedScript_sdcMicro_20181010_1212.R’. , exported two with file name… Exported to

the microdata, select

Table 3 Data formats compatible with sdcApp

Software

File extension

R/RStudio

.rdata

SPSS

.sav

SAS

.sas7bdat

CSV

.csv, .txt

STATA

.dta

Also for intermediate export

..NOTE::

Categorical variables (type factor in sdcApp) that were had a value and a label in the input dataset are

labels (variable, value), coding 0,1 to 1,2 etc.

Extra for STATA input files: change variable labels for STATA files

Exporting reports

It is extremely important to document the SDC process of microdata both for internal use as well as for external use. The internal report should contain detailed descriptions of all steps carried out as well as reasoning for

Generic drafts of both an

Internal report

An important step in the SDC process is reporting, both internal and external. Internal reporting contains the exact description of anonymization methods used, parameters but also the risk measures before and after anonymization. This allows replication of the anonymized dataset and is important for supervisory authorities/bodies to ensure the anonymization process is sufficient to guarantee anonymity according to the applicable legislation.

Report is just technical overview, not complete

file path, name of file

media/exportReportInternal.png

Fig. 43 Exporting an internal report

External report

The external report informs the user that the data has been anonymized, provides information for valid analysis on the data and explains the limitations to the data as a result of the anonymization. A brief description of the methods used can be included. The release of anonymized microdata should be accompanied by the usual metadata of the survey (survey weight, strata, survey methodology) as well as information on the anonymization methods that allow researchers to do valid analysis (e.g., amount of noise added, transition matrix for PRAM).

file path, name of file

media/exportReportExternal.png

Fig. 44 Exporting an external report