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Learning about Data Resources @

Learning about Data Resources @ . Data Collection in Canada . Statistics Canada provides the Canadian community with statistics and data that will help society make informed decisions.

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Learning about Data Resources @

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  1. Learning about Data Resources @

  2. Data Collection in Canada • Statistics Canada provides the Canadian community with statistics and data that will help society make informed decisions. • This data/statistical information is used widely by governments, business people, doctors, farmers, teachers, students etc. • Statistics Canada runs approximately 350 active surveys on different topics.

  3. About raw data in Canada • The data from someStatistics Canada surveys are available to researchers through the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) • Raw data files that can be used in programs like SPSS are available for download • Many surveys are not available through DLI, due to confidentiality issues A little bit about confidentiality: Under the Statistics Act, Statistics Canada must protect the confidentiality of respondents’ data and identity. Much of the data we can get through DLI has been “stripped” so that it is impossible to identify individuals who responded to the survey.

  4. The Difference between Stats + Data Data • Direct result of research conducted from a survey • Raw information from which statistics are created • Machine-readable data files used in statistical software package like SPSS, SAS, or Excel

  5. The Difference between Stats + Data Statistics • Statistics provide an interpretation and summary of data • Statistics are the results of data analysis • It usually comes in the form of a table or chart

  6. Where to find Canadian Stats

  7. Other awesome stats

  8. Type of files Frequently asked for raw data file formats • SAS: Mostly used by businesses/corporate environment • Extension: .sav file format • STATA:Mostly used by not-for-profit sector/government • Extension: .dtafile format • SPSS: used at UOIT • Extension: .sps file format • SPSS Portable: portable between all past SPSS versions and specific operating systems • Extension: .porfile format Text File Formats • ASCII: Includes a bit of formatting; can be used in Excel • .TXT/.TEXT: Can easily be read or opened by any program that reads text and, for that reason, are considered universal • .CSV: Comma-separated values file, can be used in Ecxel Documentation • Codebook/Questionnaire: Includes all questions asked during survey with associated variable names: • BDR_Q130 What is your age? • Documentation and User Guide: includes methodology, sample design, and other valuable information.

  9. DLI Data Liberation Initiative

  10. How does it work? • Identify a data file that you want • Visit/call/email your data librarian and ask to download the data file and send it to you • Why do you have to request it? • Stats Canada only allows one person per institution to use the DLI password Who do you contact for data? Stephanie Orfano Stephanie.orfano@uoit.ca

  11. Access DLI through A-Z database index on the Library’s website You will be asked to sign in with your network login/password

  12. BROWSE the DLI Survey Collection here NOTE: DLI is NOT search friendly. If you know what you are looking for, BROWSE the DLI survey collection

  13. NOTE: DLI is NOT search friendly. If you know what you are looking for, BROWSE the DLI survey collection BROWSE the DLI Survey Collection here

  14. See a lock? This means you must contact stephanie.orfano@uoit.ca to download the file

  15. ODESI

  16. A few things about ODESI: • More user-friendly • Easier to download data • ICPSR data also indexed (we’ll learn about that in a few minutes) • Not all surveys available from the DLI are available for download in this database • For some surveys, you may still have to contact stephanie.orfano@uoit.ca for access

  17. Access ODESI through A-Z database index on the Library’s website You will be asked to sign in with your network login/password

  18. ODESI Basics Complete a basic search Types of info you can search for OR browse by category

  19. Search Results

  20. About the Survey Select ‘Explore & Download’ to select variables and download the file

  21. Downloading Download here

  22. How to download whole data file Select the Click here if you want instructions on how to download a subset

  23. ICPSRInter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research 

  24. A few things about ICPSR: • Focus on data from the US • If you are using ICPSR to download a data-set for the first time, you will be asked to create an account as a new user. Once you create your account you will be able to download your data-set. • You may find that some data is restricted – you can request this data from ICPSR but it may take months to get

  25. Access ICPSR through A-Z database index on the Library’s website You will be asked to sign in with your network login/password

  26. ICPSR Home Quick Search

  27. Create account here

  28. Results that aren’t available Some data sets are not available because of its sensitive content. You can request the data via application, but it is a long process.

  29. Closer look at restricted data sets Documentation is available for download. Data set are NOT.

  30. Remember, you must sign-in with your personal account before you can download data

  31. Note: Most data will be downloaded as a zip file. You must unzip the file to open the data in SPSS

  32. EQUINOX

  33. About EQUINOX • An index and database created at the University of Western Ontario. • Created in part to address the issues of DLI • It contains many of the data files available on DLI, plus various files from other sources • If you find what you need through Equinox, you can have the data emailed to yourself immediately, rather than asking the data librarian to do it for you when he/she has time.

  34. Download Equinox Guide • Guide includes how to steps on: • Searching for data sets and variables • Downloading data sets • Opening data set into SPSS (Steps 29-36) Download guide here: ..\DataGuide_Oct2010_Equinox.pdf

  35. EQUINOX: Live Demo

  36. FAQs • I’m looking for a data set on female drug use in Toronto. • My instructor has asked me to find the question related to a specific variable - can you help me find this? • I need a data set on internet use. How do I download it? • I need the code book for the General Social Survey, Cycle 24: Time-stress and Well-being • Can you help me find a data set on youth reports of rape?

  37. All these databases can be found in the ‘Data’ Subject Guide: http://apps.library.dc-uoit.ca/new_erm/eResources/index.cfm?report=subOUdta

  38. Contact In person: 61 Charles Street Phone: 905.721.8668 x5644 Email : stephanie.orfano@uoit.ca Social Science Librarian

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