The Research Data Center of the Statistical Offices of the German Länder (FDZ-Länder) is a joint institution of the statistical offices of the German states, or Länder, with sixteen regional sites nationwide. Through the establishment of this central data hub, regional statistical offices are able to facilitate research access to statistical microdata from all the German Länder in line with current data protection regulations. In addition, the FDZ–Länder contributes to the improvement of the data infrastructure for public policy as well as for broader analytical ends.
The FDZ-Länder is charged with making microdata of the Statistical Offices of the Länder available quickly and efficiently. To this end, a new organizational, technical, and specialized infrastructure has been established, that expands the use of data available in the Statistical Offices of the Länder. Through a data storage system centered around specific subject areas, the microdata will quickly be made accessible at the Research Data Center locations, where they can be analyzed at PC-workplaces onsite or by way of remote data processing, thus ensuring comprehensive data access for scientific research. Moreover, in collaboration with the Research Data Center of the Federal Statistical Office (FDZ–Bund), a metadata information system is currently being developed through which all important information concerning variables, survey methods, and processes of data preparation will become accessible via the Internet.
The three-year pilot phase of the Research Data Center of the Statistical Offices of the German Länder, as recommended by the Founding Committee of the Council for Social and Economic Data (RatSWD), is funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung).
Further information on the FDZ–Länder can be found online at
http://www.forschungsdatenzentrum.de/en/index.asp.
