Banco de Portugal Microdata Research Laboratory - BPLIM The Banco de Portugal Microdata Research Laboratory (BPLIM) provides three forms of access to the microdata available: on-site, remote access and remote execution.
BPLIM operates two servers: the Internal Server, primarily for use by Banco de Portugal’s own researchers (internal researchers), and the External Server, which supports remote access and is intended for external researchers. Internal researchers have unrestricted access to data, whereas external researchers are subject to specific limitations.
For complete information about all procedures regarding data access at BPLIM, please consult the Guide for Researchers.
Application
Access to BPLIM micro datasets requires the submission of an Application Form, available in the Download Section below. The application must, among other things:
- Provide a brief description of the research project;
- Identify all researchers involved in the project and their institutional affiliations;
- Specify the datasets, time periods, and variables required.
All external researchers granted access must also sign a Confidentiality Agreement and submit a copy of their Curriculum Vitae. If the project is part of a master’s or doctoral dissertation, the academic supervisor(s) must also be identified and sign the Confidentiality Agreement.
BPLIM staff are available to assist researchers in identifying the relevant datasets and, if necessary, in preparing a customized dataset tailored to the project’s needs.
Researchers may request the inclusion of external datasets in their projects. To do so, they must complete an External Datasets Form, and BPLIM must approve the use of these datasets.
Applications can be sent via e-mail to: BPLIM@bportugal.pt.
Once all documentation has been received, the project will be evaluated. Upon approval, data access will be granted via one of BPLIM’s servers.
Output Access
External researchers are not permitted to transfer files to or from BPLIM’s servers.
Researchers working with BPLIM’s microdata must ensure that, as a general rule, output logs do not contain any information that could disclose individual records. Only aggregate-level information may be included. The guidelines governing output extraction are detailed in the Output Control Manual.
Output verification is subject to staff availability and may take longer during peak periods. BPLIM staff will process output extraction requests submitted by email and will take the necessary time to ensure all confidentiality requirements are met.
Download Section: