The Survey Research Center at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan and the United States Census Bureau invite applications to participate in a four-day workshop, August 8-11, 2016, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This advanced workshop will introduce participants to the use of the Survey of Income and Program Participation Synthetic Beta (SSB) and provide hands-on applications to prepare them to conduct their own SSB-based research.
The SIPP Synthetic Beta (SSB) is a Census Bureau data product that integrates person-level micro-data from a household survey (SIPP survey data) with W-2 earnings and OASDI benefits data. Census has synthesized the data to preserve the underlying covariate relationships between variables while protecting respondent confidentiality. Unlike the original, administrative data, the SSB is publicly available.
The Census Bureau offers all SSB users the opportunity to submit their programs for validation on the internal, confidential version of these data. As part of this workshop, participants will learn how to prepare programs for submission to the validation process and how to request the release of research results from Census disclosure officers. This experience will help participants not only begin their SSB research projects but also see them through to successful completion after the seminar has finished.
Lori Reeder and Holly Monti of the U.S. Census Bureau will lead the workshop, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Michigan, the U.S. Census Bureau, Cornell University, and other nationally recognized SIPP scholars. The Survey Research Center will pay travel, lodging, and meal costs for a limited number of participants.
Aims for this workshop include the following:
Applications will be accepted from faculty, postdoctoral fellows, advanced doctoral students, federal, state and local-level policy and research analysts, researchers at non-profit organizations, and others who would benefit from this workshop. Preference will be given to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
Applicants should submit their proposal via email to SIPP-SSB-Workshop2016@umich.edu. Proposals must be received by 5 PM Eastern Time on Friday, May 27, 2016. Items 1 through 3 of this application should be submitted as a single PDF file that includes the following elements, in the order listed below:
Direct Questions to: SIPP-SSB-Workshop2016@umich.edu
The deadline for receipt of applications is 5 PM Eastern Time on May 27, 2016. Selected applicants will be notified no later than Friday, June 10, 2016.