Data Access Instructions

Data access

The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) distributes the Chitwan Valley Family Study (CVFS) data at no charge through its Data Sharing for Demographic Research (DSDR) project. To download data or analyze data online, users log into (authenticate) their MyData account and agree to the terms of use. Users can create a new MyData account on the ICPSR website or log into their existing MyData account here.

Chitwan Valley [Nepal] Family Study series

Two studies make up the Chitwan Valley [Nepal] Family Study Series on the ICPSR website. They are:

1. The Changing Social Contexts and Family Formation study (ICPSR 4538).
2. The Labor Outmigration, Agricultural Productivity and Food Security study (ICPSR 36755).

Select the study by using the links above, or enter the study number into the search bar on the ICPSR website and select the study from the search results. Then select “Data & Documentation” to see the list of data and documentation files available for download.

Public-use versus restricted-use data

The CVFS series includes both public-use data files and restricted-use data files. Public-use data files are available for immediate download from the ICPSR website, while restricted-use data files require an application and approval process. All data documentation is available for immediate download from the ICPSR website. Additional data documentation can be found on our community-level, household-level, and individual-level webpages.

Public-use files are clearly labeled as such within ICPSR 4538. The majority of the data files within ICPSR 36755 are public-use files. CVFS data files that are released as public-use are often altered by removing variables, scrambling id variables, top- or bottom-coding variables, and/or collapsing variables or response options to minimize disclosure risks. These alterations sometimes limit the analytic potential of the data. Restricted-use versions of the CVFS data files are made available when this occurs.

Restricted-use files have greater analytic potential because they include detail removed or masked in public-use files to limit disclosure risks. Strict legal and electronic requirements are required to maintain data confidentiality when using restricted-use files.

Applying for access to restricted-use data – Secure dissemination versus Virtual Data Enclave (VDE)

There are two methods for accessing the CVFS restricted data. Each method requires a separate application and approval process administered by ICPSR.

Method 1 – Secure Dissemination: A user receives encrypted, CVFS restricted-use data files via an e-mail from ICPSR. The user may then save the files to their own computer.

Select this method if you have:

1. Access to the software tools that you need to analyze the data.
   AND
2. A stand-alone desktop computer for storing the files that is not connected to the Internet, another computer, or any networked device (e.g., printer, switch, router). (Also acceptable: a private-networked computer defined as two or more computers and/or network devices (e.g., printer, switch, router) that are not connected to the Internet or a local area network (LAN).)

Click here for instructions to apply online for CVFS restricted-use data via the secure dissemination method

Method 2 – Virtual Data Enclave (VDE): A user receives access to CVFS restricted-use data files via a remote desktop connection to a virtual machine operating on ICPSR’s server. Data files cannot be downloaded to the user’s own computer. The user analyzes the files using the software available on the virtual machine.

Select this method if you do not have:

1. Access to the software tools that you need to analyze the data. The list of software available on the virtual machine can be found here.
   OR
2. A stand-alone desktop computer that meets the requirements for Method 1 access described above.

Click here for instructions to apply online for CVFS restricted-use data via the Virtual Data Enclave (VDE) method