ELIGIBILITY AND REQUEST/APPROVAL PROCEDURE
 

1. In principle, Metropolis Data are available only to CERIS-affiliated researchers. Graduate students can also use the data for their thesis research, but their data request must be sponsored by their thesis advisor who is a CERIS-affiliated researcher.

2. To request Metropolis data, the researcher should prepare a one-page description of her/his research project, (1) to describe the purpose of the research and the specific data set that is required, and (2) to explain how the data will be used and how the results will be disseminated.

3. Send the one-page description (through e-mail) to the CERIS Data Committee Chair:

Dr. Tony Fang

Chair, CERIS Data Committee
Assistant Professor
School of Administrative Studies, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies
York University
4700 Keele St.
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Tel: 416-736-2100 ext. 33524

Email: ceris.datacommittee@utoronto.ca
 

4. The request will then be circulated to other committee members for review and approval. The Committee will attempt to process requests as quickly as possible but this may take two weeks or more, especially during vacation periods. The Chair will then notify the researcher of the committee decision.

5. After the request is approved, the researcher contacts the CERIS Resource Centre Coordinator Rong Wu at (416) 946-8825 or ceris.resourcecentre@utoronto.ca to sign a license agreement and arrange for data transfer. (License agreement for use of micro data and license agreement for use of aggregate data)

Evaluation criteria for the data request:

• Justification for Use of the Requested Dataset
• Identification of Risk: Fully describe the known and potential risks associated with the use of the requested data.
• Management of Risk: Describe precautions, safeguards and alternatives incorporated into the research activity that will reduce or limit the severity, duration and likelihood of harm.
• Provisions To Ensure the Privacy and Confidentiality of Data: Identify who will have access to the collected data, where the data will be stored, and for how long. Describe all measures that have and will be made to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of the data during both the data analyses and dissemination of research findings.
• Data Monitoring: Where applicable, discuss the process used to monitor data collected to ensure the safety of subjects.

Updated Protocol for the Use of Metropolis Data:

Administrative micro data sets provided to the Metropolis Centres by Citizenship and Immigration

Canada (e.g.PRDS, IMDB) contain personal or individual level information. This type of information

is covered by the Government of Canada’s Privacy Act. All data within administrative micro data sets

may only be stored, transmitted or disposed of in accordance with the Privacy Act, and all data users

are bound by the requirements therein contained. See http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/P-21/index.html for the full text of the Act.
 

Metropolis researchers may use the above micro data products for the purpose of conducting research

for the Metropolis Project if their application for access to such data is approved by the CERIS Data

Committee. New projects for which the same data could be used, must also be submitted to and

approved by the Data Committee.

Data files may not be used by any persons other than the designated researcher. Any other individuals wishing to access the data must submit an application requesting such access to the Data Committee. Authorized data users must not copy or make available the data files in their possession to any other person.
 

"Micro-data" refers to the individual, non-identifying client record stored in the Public use Microdata

Files (PUMFs); Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB); and the Permanent Resident Data

System (PRDS, formerly LIDS). Data provided in administrative micro datasets must never, under any

circumstances, be used to identify an individual person.

• The users of administrative datasets (like IMDB & PRDS) must submit any and all research manuscripts, papers, presentations or other knowledge transfer materials to the CERIS Data Committee for review before submitting to a publication and/or presentation at a conference or seminar.
• The Data Committee will review these publications and will sign off.
• The Data Committee will also review on an annual basis the list of all CERIS-affiliates who have  Metropolis data.
• In the letter of agreement, researchers will be asked to agree on the following items:
   
  • submit any publications, presentations or other forms of research dissemination arising from this research to the CERIS Data Committee for review before submission to a publication or presentation at a conference or seminar.
  • destroy the data at the conclusion of research, or after two years, unless explicitly given an extension by the Data Committee.
  • failure to comply with these conditions of data use will jeopardize access to the Metropolis Data in the future.
  • The form will require one-up signature - Department Directors/Faculty Deans in the case of universities or the Director of the organization in the case of NGOs.

For detailed protocol for the use of Metropolis Data, please check with the license agreement.