Applying for the NSCAW: Restricted Release

The Restricted Release Data includes both NSCAW I and NSCAW II data. These data are not available to users outside of the U.S.. A three-year license costs $650, payable by check made to RTI International but mailed to the NDACAN address. This fee goes to costs associated with the mandatory on-site compliance visits.

Stage 1: Submit an application to receive NSCAW Restricted

1. Download the Application and Data Protection Plan for Restricted NSCAW Data (MS Word)

2. Rename the file with your last name, first initial, the acronym DPP, and the date in YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g. Doe, J DPP 2008-09-27.doc)

3.Complete the form electronically and e-mail it to NDACAN@cornell.edu

4. Submit your complete contact information through our Web form.

Stage 2: In 3-7 working days you will receive via e-mail a confirmation from NDACAN of the eligibility of your project and an invoice. You must then physically mail to NDACAN the following forms and payment:

1. Three completed and original signature copies of the Restricted Release Data Use License (PDF) for each institution involved in the proposed project.

2. Completed and original signature copies of the Supplemental Agreement with Research Staff (PDF) for each member of the research team other than the Investigator who will have access to the data. Research staff must be formally affiliated with the Investigator's institution (student, staff, faculty, etc.). Also, submit complete Research staff contact information through our Web form

3. A copy of your institution's IRB approval for your project which acknowledges the increased risk to NSCAW respondents of deductive disclosure and the special procedures required for the handling and storage of NSCAW data. Your research proposal must receive either an expedited or full board IRB approval. The IRB cannot declare the project exempt from its review.

4. Check or money order payable to "RTI International" for $650 but mailed to NDACAN. Purchase Orders or credit cards are *NOT* accepted for this dataset, only checks or money orders.
Since many institutions take several weeks to generate and deliver a check, some investigators choose to write a personal check and arrange for reimbursement.

The Restricted Release Data Use License (PDF) is a legal document between the researcher, the Receiving Institution, and NDACAN. Changes in the employment status of the researcher require the completion of a new Restricted Release Data Use License.

NDACAN will have full discretion in deciding whether the Investigator meets eligibility criteria and whether the Application and Data Protection Plan for Restricted NSCAW Data (MS Word) is adequate. NDACAN may request additional information from applicants or request changes to the Data Protection Plan. If NDACAN decides all requirements are met, a representative from NDACAN will sign the Restricted Data Use License and return a copy of the fully executed license to the applicant along with a copy of the data.

If, during the course of the research project, the Investigator adds new staff who will have access to the data, the Investigator must mail signed copies of the Supplemental Agreement with Research Staff (PDF) to NDACAN. Access to the data cannot be provided to these staff members until the Supplemental Agreements are signed by an NDACAN representative and returned to the Investigator.

Research Teams Consisting of Persons Employed at Different Institutions
Because the Investigator and the Receiving Institution are both parties to the Restricted Release Data Use License (PDF), multiple Licenses must be executed when members of a research team with access to the General Use or Restricted Data are employed by different organizations. A separate License must be executed with each organization involved in the project. For instance, when researchers employed at different universities collaborate on a research project and each project team requires direct access to the data, an Investigator must be designated at each Institution and each Institution must execute its own License. When an Investigator contracts with a firm to perform programming services using the data, both the Investigator's organization and the firm performing the programming must have separate Licenses. (Self-employed persons with no institutional affiliation may not gain access to any version of the NSCAW Data.)

When the project involves multiple organizations, the Restricted Release Data Use Licenses for each organization must be submitted to NDACAN together in a single package. This package should include a cover letter identifying the single Investigator who will serve as primary contact for the entire research team. This primary contact must serve as the Investigator (i.e., signatory to the License) in his or her employer's License. Other organizations involved in the project should designate the most senior team member (i.e., the team member that holds the greatest authority over other team members from that organization) as their organization's Investigator

Where to Submit Applications
All signed original materials for obtaining the Restricted Release Data should be mailed to:

National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect
Attn: NSCAW Restricted Release Data Application
Beebe Hall - BCTR
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853

Questions about acquiring the Restricted Release Data may be sent to the above address or sent via e-mail to NDACAN@cornell.edu.