# Regressions with "Perturbed" Variables

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/regressions-with-perturbed-variables/5062>\
**Category:** CPS\
**Created:** [January 12, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/regressions-with-perturbed-variables/5062 "2023-01-12T22:18:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![Ivan\_Strahof](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/ivan_strahof/32/626_2.png) [@Ivan\_Strahof](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Ivan_Strahof)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/regressions-with-perturbed-variables/5062/2 "2023-01-23T22:09:32Z")

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Hi Chantal,

Perturbed data will introduce some measurement error into your results, [attenuating the effects of any relationships towards zero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regression_dilution). An example of how purposefully introduced measurement error in Census data affected outcomes is provided in [Cleveland et al. (2012)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5382996/). For privacy reasons this is simply a current reality when working with public use microdata. I hope that information helps!

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