5  On-site visits

The FDZ recommends for all projects on-site visits at least before using JoSuA for the first time (or alternatively the remote desktop, see Chapter 6), especially when analysing complex data sets like SIAB, the Linked Employer-Employee data of the IAB (LIAB) or other linked data products. In doing so, you can become familiar with the data quicker and more conveniently and carry out the often time-consuming data preparation.

5.1 Preparation for on-site use

  • After concluding a data use agreement, you will receive your account details via e-mail, with half of the initial password submitted via letter. If further projects are added later, the initial password will always remain that of the first project. Please note that you will receive a separate identification for JoSuA (see Section 4.1). However, the associated password is identical to the initial password for on-site use.

  • For on-site use at the FDZ or an external site, please make an appointment in advance. Keep in mind that the capacity of guest workstations is limited and not every requested appointment can be approved. Also, the booking modalities can vary depending on the location. You can find more information about this on our website (contact details).

  • To use programs on-site that were prepared off-site, upload all do-files to JoSuA through the “Transfer” feature at least three business days prior to your on-site visit.

  • The reviewed and released scripts can then be downloaded from JoSuA at your on-site workstation. You can save them in the prog folder of your project directory at the FDZ.

  • When uploading, please limit yourself to evaluation programmes that are new or have been changed since your last on-site visit. Transferring unchanged programmes creates unnecessary review work for the FDZ staff. Scripts provided by the FDZ for data preparation are stored in the guest network and do not need to be uploaded via transfers. These include all programme files from FDZ method reports, the FDZ Stata templates, the panel tool for the IAB-Establishment Panel, the do-files from Dauth et al. (2023) and other working tools.

  • You have to send external aggregate data to the FDZ via email at least three business days prior to your on-site visit. Please state the date of the planned visit in the email. If you have not received a confirmation of receipt within two working days, please let us know. Please note the section on external aggregate data (Section 2.2.3).

  • If you want to use ado-files on site, please see section Section 2.2.1.

5.2 During your on-site visit

  • For the initial on-site login, please use your initial password that you received split in two parts by letter and email (see Section 5.1).

  • Please change your password after the initial login. Instructions can be found as part of our working tools (under Vorgaben_Guidelines „Shortguide Password”).

  • FDZ Working Tools:

    • At your on-site workstation, you have access to a general directory („Working_Tools”). There you can find:

      • FDZ data reports

      • further working tools and central method reports incl. corresponding files (datasets and scripts)

      • the manuals, our guidelines and the FDZ templates

      • the ado repository

    • You can copy the files made available there into your own directory (into the folders prog, data and doc).

    • Please also find our working tools on our website under 'Key working Tools of the FDZ'.

  • Data sets that you created via controlled remote data execution and stored in the folder data are available during on-site use. Data sets that were created exclusively via remote desktop access must be generated again during the on-site visit.

5.3 How to obtain the approved results after on-site use

At the end of your on-site visit:

  • Please upload your scripts to JoSuA through Transfer at the end of your on-site visit. Otherwise, your programmes will not be available for further editing at your own workplace or for remote data execution. You will find a link to JoSuA on the desktop of the Stata server when still on-site.

  • When transferring scripts, please limit yourself to those that are new or have been modified during your on-site visit. Transferring unmodified programmes creates unnecessary review work for the FDZ staff.

  • Results generated during the on-site visit will not be released. In case you immediately need results for publication or presentation purposes, please additionally upload the scripts in Presentation / Publication Mode during your on-site visit. Make sure that master.do and all programme files for the Presentation / Publication Mode are fully executable without causing errors.

  • This means, that you need to upload your scripts both through the Transfer and Submission in Presentation / Publication Mode if you wish to obtain both your scripts and results. However, under “Transfers” you can also upload new or modified scripts that are not part of the job started in Presentation/Publication mode.

  • All uploaded scripts and, if applicable, their results are available for download in JoSuA after a data protection review. Please note that transmission of scripts by the FDZ after your visit is not possible.

  • Please log out correctly from the server at the end of your stay (see Handbook On-site Use in the Guest Network).