My results in R-DAS were blocked by the disclosure protection settings. What do the various messages mean?

Below are descriptions of the most common messages that display when analytic results are blocked.

1. The Row Total is equal to the value of one of the cells.

   This message refers to a built in disclosure limitation protection for specific crosstab output. In the following 5 X 3 crosstabulation example, the sum of the 4th row is equal to a single cell in that row. The whole table is suppressed when this happens.

   6	15	8
   9	17	8
   3	20	5
   0	5	0
   30	4	7

   
   
2. To preserve confidentiality, tables cannot be displayed when the number of observations in any cell is too low.

   This error message states that at least one cell in the frequency of the table or crosstabulation does not meet the threshold established by CBHSQ/SAMHSA for protecting the confidentiality of respondents.

3. To preserve confidentiality, analyses are not permitted to use the following variable(s): 'variable name'

   This message appears when one of the complex design variables (weight, strata, or cluster) is entered into one of the analysis fields (i.e. ROW). While the complex sampling design variables are used by the R-DAS system to calculate accurate statistics, the design variables are not available because of the potential disclosure risk involved.

What is the Data Portal?

The Data Portal provides secure remote access to confidential data from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

CBHSQ confidential data can only be accessed remotely through the Data Portal using special software. This virtual computing environment has been designed to provide authorized researchers access to confidential data for approved research projects. The Data Portal can only be accessed from approved computer location(s) and IP address(es) at the researcher's organization. Users are required to maintain the confidentiality of the data in the Data Portal. Researchers cannot transfer data into or out of the Data Portal.

The goal of the Data Portal is to maximize the use of CBHSQ data for important research and policy analyses, while conforming to Federal law and protecting identifiable data from disclosure.

What is the process for Data Portal approval and access?

The application process is described in detail in section 3 of the Data Portal Confidentiality Procedures Manual. An abbreviated description of the application process follows.

For each research project, the organization(s) must complete the Application for Access. Completed applications are to be submitted to SAMHDA at dataportal@icpsr.umich.edu. (The application does not need to be signed and does not need to include CVs.)

Once a complete application is submitted to SAMHDA, the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) will review the contents of the application for completeness. CBHSQ will verify that only eligible individuals will have access to the data.

CBHSQ can only approve a limited number of applications. If more completed applications are received than Data Portal resources can support, additional criteria for evaluating the applications will be used. The primary criteria for selection are:

• The behavioral health impact of the proposed project and its potential contribution and alignment with Department of Health & Human Services and SAMHSA missions,
• How well the research is aligned with the purpose¹ for which the data were collected, and
• Whether the data requested is suitable for the proposed research project given data limitations (available sample size or survey content).

CBHSQ will also consider secondary evaluation criteria:

• Available resources needed by CBHSQ to prepare the data file and the cost of site inspection.
• The experience and capabilities of the research team.

Once the application has been approved, all individuals listed on the application must participate in confidentiality training. The project team will be notified about how this training will be conducted.

After the training is completed, the applicant submits the required paperwork:

1. Confidential Data Use and Nondisclosure Agreement (CDUNA)
2. Designation of Agent and Affidavit of Non-Disclosure Form
3. Declaration of Nondisclosure (for federal employees only)

Approved applicants have six (6) months to complete the required confidentiality training and submit the required forms. Applications will be terminated for any applicant who fails to meet these requirements within six (6) months of application approval. Applicants with closed applications will need to reapply for Data Portal access during a future call for applications.

When the original signed CDUNA and affidavit(s) are received by CBHSQ and CBHSQ determines they are complete and final, the Principal Project Officer (PPO) and project team will be authorized to access the Data Portal. A copy of the signed and approved CDUNA will be sent to the PPO.

An email will be sent to each approved project team member listed on the application with information on how to access the custom dataset, which will contain only the variables that were requested and approved. Access to these data is allowed only for approved project members who have signed affidavits within the last year.

¹The Data Portal provides access to Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) and National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data sets. For descriptions of these data sets, see DAWN and NSDUH resources.

How can I get help with the Data Portal?

For questions and assistance with the Data Portal, please email dataportal@icpsr.umich.edu.

SAMHDA also operates a toll-free helpline (888-741-7242) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST). The local helpline number is (734) 615-9524. Staff try to respond to email and helpline questions within one business day. Answers to many questions can be found in the Data Portal Confidentiality Procedures Manual.

I need help logging into MyData Account and changing my email address or password.

Logging into Your MyData Account

The only time the SAMHDA website requires users to log in using a MyData account is for access to the R-DAS (?). When prompted to log in to the R-DAS on the Log into SAMHDA page, select the "Login via MyData" option to log in using your MyData account.

Changing Your Email Address

Once you've logged in to the R-DAS, the upper right corner of the SAMHDA website will display a link with your name and a logout option. Clicking on your name will take you to the "Edit Settings" page. Select the "Change your password" link to change your password.

Recovering/Resetting Your Password

To recover your MyData password, select the "Request your password to be sent to you via email" link on the "Log into SAMHDA" page and follow the instructions on the next page. After you receive the email, we recommend that you change the password.

Locked Out?

For assistance with MyData, please contact ICPSR User Support at netmail@icpsr.umich.edu.

What is MyData?

MyData is one login option for access to the R-DAS. It is a user registration and authentication system for archives within ICPSR, like SAMHDA. The system creates a more secure environment for users and enables them to sign up for ICPSR services. MyData has the following user-friendly features:

• Uses an email address as a login ID
• Requires a password to authenticate to the website
• Allows users to create an account and set preferences
• Allows registered users to reset a forgotten password

Do I have to establish a MyData account?

Users who wish to analyze restricted-use data available in the R-DAS may either establish a MyData account or log in using their Facebook, Google, or LinkedIn account. When a user creates a new MyData account, s/he will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about user preferences.

How do I produce correct estimates for NSDUH: 4- and 2-Year R-DAS data files?

To generate correct estimates for the NSDUH: 4- and 2-Year R-DAS data files, users must use the year pair indicator variable (YRPRIND) in one of the following ways:

1. As a filter to subset the data file for a specific group of years such as:
   - For the 2-Year R-DAS data file use "YRPRIND(1)" for 2002-2003, "YRPRIND(2)" for 2004-2005, "YRPRIND(3)" for 2006-2007, "YRPRIND(4)" for 2008-2009, "YRPRIND(8)" for 2010-2011 or "YRPRIND(10)" for 2012-2013 in the filter field.
   - For the 4-Year R-DAS data file use "YRPRIND(5)" for 2002-2005 or "YRPRIND(6)" for 2006-2009 in the filter field.
2. As a control variable. PLEASE NOTE: This option will produce separate results for each combined group of years (e.g., 2002-2005). The last table with total estimates is invalid and should be ignored.
3. As a row variable in the row field. PLEASE NOTE: Under this option the column total estimates are invalid and should be ignored.
4. As a column in the column field. PLEASE NOTE: Under this option the row total estimates are invalid and should be ignored.

The NSDUH R-DAS data files do not allow for the creation of single-year estimates because of the potential for disclosure of confidential information. The NSDUH R-DAS data files contain revised weights designed to produce estimates that are representative of the average population across combined two-year (2002-2003, 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2008-2009, 2010-2011, and 2012-2013), four-year (2002-2005 and 2006-2009), eight-year (2002-2009), or ten-year (2002-2011) periods. There are no weights on the 4-year R-DAS that are representative of all eight years; thus all estimates of totals across the period 2002-2009 will be twice as large as they should be. Similarly, there are no weights on the 2-year R-DAS that are representative of all twelve years. To get the correct estimates of totals across the eight year period, the 8-year R-DAS file should be used. Similarly, the 10-year R-DAS file should be used to get the correct estimates of totals across the ten year period.