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Disclosure risks in odds ratios and logistic regression

Derrick, Ben; Green, Elizabeth; Ritchie, Felix; White, Paul

Authors

Paul White Paul.White@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Applied Statistics



Abstract

When publishing statistics from confidential data, there exists a risk that the statistic might inadvertently reveal confidential information. Statistical disclosure control (SDC) aims to reduce that risk to an acceptable level. Most SDC theory is concerned with simple tables; there are very few guidelines covering complex statistics, and those mostly rely upon assumptions of negligible risk.
This paper examines the disclosure risk in odds and risk ratios and logistic regression. We demonstrate that calculated ratios should be classified as ‘unsafe’ statistics and modelled ratios as ‘safe statistics, in the jargon of the field. This allows us to develop best practice guidelines for checking outputs before release.

Citation

Derrick, B., Green, E., Ritchie, F., & White, P. (2022, April). Disclosure risks in odds ratios and logistic regression. Paper presented at Scottish Economic Society Annual Conference 2022: Special session 'Protecting confidentiality in social science research outputs', Glasgow

Presentation Conference Type Conference Paper (unpublished)
Conference Name Scottish Economic Society Annual Conference 2022: Special session 'Protecting confidentiality in social science research outputs'
Conference Location Glasgow
Start Date Apr 25, 2022
End Date Apr 27, 2022
Deposit Date Aug 11, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Keywords privacy, confidentiality, statistical disclosure control, odds ratio, logistic regression
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9853160
Publisher URL https://www.res.org.uk/events-page/scottish-economic-society-2022-annual-conference.html