Skip to main content
NORC at the University Chicago

America’s DataHub Consortium, Governance, Infrastructure & FBSE Study

Boston, Massachusetts
Demonstrating replicable processes for acquiring and providing secure access to linked data sources
  • Client
    National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
  • Dates
    February 2022 - December 2023

Problem

U.S. policymakers need accessible, useable data to make evidence-based decisions.

The overarching goal of the Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 is to modernize the federal statistical data infrastructure. NORC was among the first members of America's DataHub Consortium, the mission of which is to to provide secure data in service of evidence-based policymaking. Addressing research questions about participation in the U.S. and global science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines by foreign-born scientists and engineers (FBSEs) forms the basis for a demonstration of replicable processes for securely acquiring, linking, and disseminating data. The linked data will also help fill gaps in reliable data on the contributions of FBSEs.

Solution

Demonstrate a replicable evidence framework using NORC solutions and expertise.

NORC is demonstrating use of the Presumption of Accessibility (44 U.S.C. § 3581) for building partnerships across agencies to link and disseminate data securely while meeting data user needs related to determining the contributions of foreign-born scientists and engineers who are recipients of federal funding. Our team of data scientists and methodologists is developing models that combine administrative records on federal STEM education programs with additional information on career pathways and other non-traditional sources to create FBSE datasets for the ADC. The project also uses NORC’s proprietary Data Enclave® to provide the secure platform for demonstration of a replicable framework for evidence building to understand pressing policy issues.

Result

Expanding the use of restricted data for evidence-based policy decisions. 

As NORC's demonstration project builds a database to inform policy on foreign-born scientists and engineers, it will also help clear a path for valuable research on other important issues. The ADC is designed to expand access to restricted information and serve as a model for future research that merges disparate datasets. The FBSE project will generate a series of recommendations, including:

  • Demonstrating the legal, policy, and governance processes connected to restricted data and access to administrative records
  • Evaluating the ease of preparing and analyzing each data source, identifying notable barriers, and recommending how these barriers can be managed
  • Providing a roadmap for tiered data access that protects privacy

Project Leads

“U.S. policymakers at every level of government are seeking evidence-based solutions to issues faced by their communities. This project demonstrates how access to data can be made secure, immediate, and impactful.” 

Lisa Blumerman

Senior Vice President & Department Head

“U.S. policymakers at every level of government are seeking evidence-based solutions to issues faced by their communities. This project demonstrates how access to data can be made secure, immediate, and impactful.” 

Explore NORC Economics Projects

2020 AERA-Spencer COVID-19 Impact Survey

Examining how the pandemic influenced the experiences of early-career doctorates and doctoral students

Client:

American Educational Research Association; Spencer Foundation

Access to Justice Design & Testing Program

A new data collection effort measuring and reporting access to justice for civil legal needs

Client:

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Alcohol and Other Drug Use by Vehicle Crash Victims

First study of the prevalence of alcohol and drugs in seriously injured victims of motor vehicle crashes

Client:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Economics Projects