German Record Linkage Center

By linking existing research data from different sources, their analytical power can be increased significantly at relatively low costs. Since most datasets in Germany are not provided with unique identifiers (e.g. a social security number), but can only be linked by specifications such as name and address, making data accessible that way generally requires sophisticated record linkage techniques.

An additional challenge arises from data protection regulations in Germany. Installing a "German Record-Linkage-Center" provides solutions for recurring problems with individual record-linkage applications.

The centre is designed as a long-term infrastructure facility, open to all
disciplines. The main objective is increasing the number and quality of record-linkage applications in all fields in order to make optimal use and increase the analytical power of existing data, and to unlock new data sources for science.

The project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The
implementation and realization of the project takes place in co-operation
between the University of Duisburg-Essen (Institute of Sociology) and the
Institute for Employment Research (IAB),respectively the Research Data Centre FDZ of the Federal Employment Agency.

Directors:
Prof. Dr. Rainer Schnell (University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg)
Stefan Bender (Research Data Center, Nürnberg)

Contact:
German Record Linkage Center
Regensburger Str. 104
90478 Nürnberg
recordlinkage@iab.de

Please visit the GRLC homepage for more information on the Record Linkage Center, Software and Documents.