What is a branch Research Data Centre?
A branch RDC is a laboratory that offers access to Statistics Canada detailed micro-data and presents the same characteristics of security as are required in all the RDCs. The branch RDC can reduce the need for travelling. It also facilitates the cooperation among researchers from the same region or province that are located in different cities. Compared to a regular RDC, a branch has fewer workstations, is open part-time (between 15 and 25 hours a week) and typically provides only the most commonly used statistical software. Branches are staffed with part-time statistical assistants, but there is no Statistics Canada analyst on site. Another limitation of a branch is that research results and computer programs are not controlled locally. These outputs are encrypted and securely transferred to the main RDC associated with the branch. In the main RDC, the Statistics Canada analyst will control the output before releasing the information to the researchers. The analyst in the main RDC is
