[1] For instance, a national census might collect age, home address, educational level, employment status, and many other variables, recorded separately for every person who responds; this is microdata.
Access to microdata allows researchers much more freedom to investigate such interactions and perform detailed analysis.
Controls are generally imposed to limit the risk that this data may be abused or lead to loss of privacy.
[3] The International Household Survey Network has developed tools and guidelines to help interested statistical agencies improve their microdata management practices.
The Microdata Management Toolkit is a DDI metadata editor which is now used in about 80 countries, with the support of the Accelerated Data Program, implemented by the PARIS21 Secretariat, the World Bank, and other partners, in the context of the Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics.