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Disclosure Risk from Factor Scores

Author

Listed:
  • Drechsler Jörg

    (Institute for Employment Research, Statistical Methods, Regensburger Str. 104, Nuremberg 90478, Germany)

  • Ronning Gerd

    (University of Tuebingen, Mohlstraße 36, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany)

  • Bleninger Philipp

    (GfKSE, Nuremberg, Germany)

Abstract

Remote access can be a powerful tool for providing data access for external researchers. Since the microdata never leave the secure environment of the data-providing agency, alterations of the microdata can be kept to a minimum. Nevertheless, remote access is not free from risk. Many statistical analyses that do not seem to provide disclosive information at first sight can be used by sophisticated intruders to reveal sensitive information. For this reason the list of allowed queries is usually restricted in a remote setting. However, it is not always easy to identify problematic queries. We therefore strongly support the argument that has been made by other authors: that all queries should be monitored carefully and that any microlevel information should always be withheld. As an illustrative example, we use factor score analysis, for which the output of interest - the factor loading of the variables - seems to be unproblematic. However, as we show in the article, the individual factor scores that are usually returned as part of the output can be used to reveal sensitive information. Our empirical evaluations based on a German establishment survey emphasize that this risk is far from a purely theoretical problem.

Suggested Citation

  • Drechsler Jörg & Ronning Gerd & Bleninger Philipp, 2014. "Disclosure Risk from Factor Scores," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 30(1), pages 107-122, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:offsta:v:30:y:2014:i:1:p:107-122:n:6
    DOI: 10.2478/jos-2014-0006
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jörg Drechsler, 2011. "Multiple imputation in practice—a case study using a complex German establishment survey," AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis, Springer;German Statistical Society, vol. 95(1), pages 1-26, March.
    2. repec:iab:iabfme:200909(en is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Henry Kaiser, 1958. "The varimax criterion for analytic rotation in factor analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 23(3), pages 187-200, September.
    4. Roderick McDonald & E. Burr, 1967. "A comparison of four methods of constructing factor scores," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 32(4), pages 381-401, December.
    5. Jörg Heining, 2009. "The Research Data Centre of the German Federal Employment Agency: Data Supply and Demand between 2004 and 2009," RatSWD Working Papers 129, German Data Forum (RatSWD).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Gerd Ronning, 2014. "Vertraulichkeit und Verfügbarkeit von Mikrodaten," IAW Discussion Papers 101, Institut für Angewandte Wirtschaftsforschung (IAW).

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