Ontario Data Documentation, Extraction Ontario Data Documentation, Extraction Service Service

and Infrastructureand Infrastructure

IASSIST 2008IASSIST 2008Palo Alto, CaliforniaPalo Alto, California

<odesi> what it is…<odesi> what it is…

< <odesi> is a centralised, standardised web-based data exploration/extraction system based on the DDI standard & delivered through Scholars Portal

< it is the only data tool unanimously supported by all 19 OCUL university libraries that allows the user to search multiple datasets at the variable level

It always starts with a It always starts with a question…question…

<The 1950’s saw strong anti-communist sentiments in the United States. Did these carry into the 1960’s and were they present in Canada???

What ‘s the problem?What ‘s the problem?

<lack the search skills to find the relevant datasets

<unable to use the tools or software that surround the data

<lack the arithmetic/statistical skills to manipulate data

What do users need??

<easy search tool, readily accessible (internet, desktop)

<metadata <search across many datasets at

once<provide descriptive summary

stats<data away in excel<work independently

… … a questiona question

<The 1950’s saw strong anti-communist sentiments in the United States. Did these carry into the 1960’s and were they present in Canada???

<odesi><odesi>

<exposes undergraduates to the research enterprise at an early stage in their careers

<is important in developing numeric skills

<focus is on understanding what the data show, not on the formulae

Inside <odesi>Inside <odesi>

<collaboration by sharing the work with other universities

<students code data in DDI using the Best Practices Document

<hardware sits at Scholars Portal

HardwareHardware

IP Address

Dell blade Linux server

Dell PowerEdge 6800 (8GB RAM,

10X300GB 7 2X73GB drives

Windows Nesstar Windows Nesstar

Dell PowerEdge 6800 (8GB RAM,

10X300GB 7 2X73GB drives

Nesstar software

FundingFunding

<odesi> is a jointly funded project between the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) and OntarioBuys (BPS Supply Chain Secretariat, Ontario Ministry of Finance)

< $1.04M including “in kind” contributions of datasets and facilities

Data holdingsData holdings

< Statistics Canada DLI files • Census • Public-use Microdata Files (PUMF) • Special Surveys, • General Social Surveys (GSS)• Health (CTUMS)

< Public Opinion Polls (e.g. 1945 – 2000 Gallup & IPSOS Reid)

< currently, have about 500 files in <odesi> created using student power

Build awarenessBuild awareness

< leverage the existing broad base of goodwill among library representatives and data professionals to obtain the widest promotion possible

< complement and support the work of data library staff and educators who create and maintain the important relationships with academics, researchers and students thereby increasing the success of <odesi>

< generating awareness of <odesi> through a series of conference presentations and articles in academic publications

Building partnershipsBuilding partnerships

< seek new datasets• Province of Ontario Data

< creating a suite of tutorials and other training materials

< investigate providing access to <odesi> to the wider education sector

< supporting the national co-ordination committee for DDI projects in Canada CANDDI

Partnerships …Partnerships …

< investigate using <odesi> as a trusted digital repository for Ontario research data

< explore to links with CARL and CISTI in the aim of creating a national data archive

< explore international links e.g. CESSDA, IFDO

Universities with access to Universities with access to <odesi><odesi>

Brock UniversityCarleton UniversityUniversity of GuelphLakehead UniversityLaurentian UniversityMcMaster UniversityNipissing UniversityOntario College of Art and DesignUniversity of Ontario Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Ottawa

Queen's UniversityRyerson UniversityUniversity of TorontoTrent UniversityUniversity of WaterlooUniversity of Western OntarioWilfrid Laurier UniversityUniversity of WindsorYork University

OCUL & Ontario Buys

Commercial

SoftwareScholars

Portal

DDI Standard

Ontario Data Documentation, Extraction Service and Infrastructure

<Check out our• WIKIhttp://odesi.uoguelph.ca/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

• <odesi> listserve

ContactContact

An intuitive data portal for researchers, teachers and students; inspiring, developing and supporting

research excellence.

For more information contact

Paula Hurtubise, <odesi> Project Manager @ paula_hurtubise@carleton.ca