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Just released: SOEP data 1984-2012 (v29)

Report of December 11, 2013

DOI: 10.5684/soep.v29

As announced, we are now offering the SOEP data to all users in EEA countries for downloading-free of charge.

We are delighted to provide our users this new possibility to download the SOEP data. We ensure the highest standards of data protection in transferring the SOEP data to you through use of the program Cryptshare, which offers completely encrypted transfers as well as a personalized link and password.

Because we no longer have the production costs and postal charges for the DVD, this also allows us to provide the SOEP data free of charge for the foreseeable future of the SOEP. Please note that DIW Berlin is currently providing the SOEP data to users in EEA countries only. Other international users will receive the data from Cornell University in the USA.

Initial experiences and procedures

Many users took advantage of the opportunity to pre-order the data (as announced in the last SOEPnewsletter). We have now provided downloads to around 100 users. The new procedure has worked very smoothly, with just a few isolated exceptions. We would like to thank our users for their patience and cooperation in this process.

The data downloads so far have not included the SOEPlong data. We have kept a record of these orders and will provide the SOEPlong data within the next few weeks.

How to download the SOEP data:

Step 1: Order the data using our order form and tick which data format you need (STATA, SAS, SPSS, or ASCII) and whether you need German and/or English labels. 

Step 2: Before you receive the link for your personal download, you will receive a letter by postal service containing two passwords: one to initiate your personal download, the other to unzip the downloaded archive (zip-file).

Step 3: After receiving the letter by snail mail, you will receive your individual download link by e-mail. The link will work for a limited time only. In the e-mail, you will find instructions for starting the download.

Data documentation

None of the additional documentation that was previously included on our DVD is included in the download. However, all these documents are available on the website of our Research Data Center. A zip file of the complete data documentation can be downloaded by clicking here (ZIP, 6.23 MB) (documentation on the biography and life history data is not yet available).

You will also find separate files of the documentation available for downloading at: Research Data Center SOEP → Documentation → Documents → Generated Variables.

We're still taking orders from EEA countries!

The SOEPhotline staff will be happy to take your order, either by e-mail at soepmail@diw.de or by telephone at +49-30-89789-292. You can also complete and return the order form or order online:

In English:      http://www.diw.de/SOEPorder
In German:     http://www.diw.de/SOEPbestellung

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