Introducing the Data Documentation Initiative Steven Vale UNECE steven.vale@unece.org

What is DDI? The Data Documentation Initiative (DDI) is an effort to create an international standard for describing data from the social, behavioral, and economic sciences not directly tied to them, nor other concrete implementation details Provides common semantics that can be used unambiguously across and between different implementations

More details The DDI metadata specification: Is expressed in XML supports the entire research data life cycle DDI metadata accompanies and enables data conceptualization, collection, processing, distribution, discovery, analysis, repurposing, and archiving. While GSIM is a conceptual model, it can be implemented to different levels. As a reference framework, GSIM Provides over-arching guidance to the development and use of statistical implementation and technology standards. GSIM is not directly tied to any particular implementation standard or technology solution. Where GSBPM defines the statistical production process and sub-processes; GSIM defines the information associated with the statistical production process, including the flows of information, the business rules and process-related quality metrics. GSIM can however be implemented as a standalone framework or integrated with local business process models.

Versions of DDI First generation: DDI Codebook Versions 1.0 to 2.1 Focuses on single archived instance Second generation: DDI Lifecycle Versions 3.0 to 3.2 Goes beyond the single survey concept Third generation: DDI 4.0 In early stages of preparation

DDI Lifecycle Model

The DDI Alliance Membership based organisation Data archives, producers, research data centers, university data libraries, national and international statistical organisations Annual conferences in Europe and North America

DDI and SDMX in the GSBPM

More information DDI Alliance Web site http://www.ddialliance.org 9