Data and Statistics
Microdata
Microdata consist of data directly observed or collected from a specific unit of observation, usually an individual, household or a family. Microdata files are composed of individual records consisting of a row of numbers, and need processing before they are ready for interpretation. Examples of microdata include survey responses, transaction records, and health records.
A Statistics Canada public use microdata file (PUMF) is based on a corresponding master data file, which contains all responses by each respondent for each survey. Statistics Canada modifies the files before the PUMF is released to ensure that the risk of breaching confidentiality has been removed.
Microdata Retrieval, Analysis and Subsetting
- SDASDA Microdata Analysis and Subsetting System at the University of Toronto Data Library Service
- Statistics Canada, recently released PUMFsProvides access to documentation and data for recently released Statistics Canada public use microdata files.
Please contact SANDS (maps@ucalgary.ca or 403.220.6822) for any Statistics Canada PUMFs that are not available on this website. - Rich Data Services (RDS) - Statistics CanadaRich Data Services (RDS) is Statistics Canada’s analytical platform for Public Use Microdata files (PUMFs) and their metadata. The RDS Explorer and Tabulation Engine's user-friendly interfaces allow users to browse, interact, and download data and metadata for online or offline analysis. (formerly known as NESSTAR)
- ODESIODESI is an excellent discovery tool for Canadian microdata available through the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI), Canadian Opinion Research Archive (CORA) and Canadian Dataverses.
- ABACUSThe Abacus Data Network is a data repository collaboration involving Libraries at Simon Fraser University (SFU), the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and the University of Victoria (UVic).
- Canadian Opinion Research Archive (CORA)CORA provides open access to public opinion survey data.
- SANDS MicrodataStatistics Canada Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) microdata files and documentation processed by Spatial & Numeric Data Services.
- Canadian Legal Problems Survey Public Use Microdata FileThis public use microdata file is from the 2021 Canadian Legal Problems Survey. It includes information on the types of legal problems experienced by Canadians in the three years preceding the survey, on actions taken to try to resolve those serious problems, and on the costs and impacts of the most serious problem on the lives of Canadians.
- Prairie Regional Research Data CentreThe Prairie Regional Research Data Centre is a combination of a secure Statistics Canada office on campus and a statistical analysis computing laboratory.
- ICPSRICPSR is a consortium of academic institutions and research organizations that provides data access, curation and data analysis for the social science research community.
- IPUMS InternationalIPUMS International collects and distributes census microdata for social and economic research for 74 countries.
Spatial and Numeric Data Services
Contact Information
Spatial and Numeric Data Services
Taylor Family Digital Library, room 466
403-220-6822
maps@ucalgary.ca
- Last Updated: Apr 22, 2025 2:32 PM
- URL: https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/guides/data
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