Data Made Easy! Away Day MacOdrum Library, Carleton University Jane Fry May 1st, 2008

Outline Easy data Background of Comparative data – still easy! Why you too can do it! Go for it!

To start with … Handouts Bling

Metadata What is metadata?

Interesting questions Let’s look at some questions from the Canadian Gallup Public Opinion Polls Carleton finally gets to share!

What do you think? “In some cities in Canada, horsemeat is now being sold because of the high price of other meats. If horsemeat were available here, would you be willing to try it?”

Yea or neigh? 39.5% said “Yes” Canadian Gallup Poll, August 1951, #212

Next question … “Would you favour requiring every able-bodied young man in this country, when he reaches the age of 18, to spend one year in military training and then join the reserves or militia?”

And the answer is … 65.7% favoured this Canadian Gallup Poll, September 1956, #251

How about a $ question “How much should a young man be earning per week before he gets married?” Canadian Gallup Poll, August 1953, #231

And the answer is …

And now for the skirts! “There’s an attempt being made by some fashion leaders to shorten women’s skirts. Do you think that women should follow this lead – and wear skirts shorter than they are now?” Canadian Gallup Poll, August 1953, #231

Up or down! Shorter skirts – 13 % Stay the same length – 82 % Longer skirts – 5 %

Another use … Tracking opinions over time “Do you approve of the use of birth control?” (Canadian Gallup Polls)

And the answer is …

And now another use We can look at the data in tables, that is, analyzing it with other variables in the same data set

How do women drivers compare to men? What do you think? Who is better? By how much? “In general, do you think women make better drivers than men, as good, or worse drivers?”

How do women drivers compare to men? MALE (Column %) FEMALE (Column %) Better Drivers As Good Drivers Worse Drivers Don’t Know In general, do you think women make better drivers than men, as good, Or worse drivers? Canadian Gallup Poll, September 1955, #244

Should women have equal job opportunity? “Do you think married women should be given special opportunity with men to compete for jobs or do you think employers should give men first chance?” What do you think?

Should women have equal job opportunity? MALE (Column %) FEMALE (Column %) Yes No, Men First Qualified Do you think married women should be given special opportunity with men to compete for jobs or do you think employers should give men first chance? Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1956, #248

What would you like for Christmas? Any guesses here for the top 5 answers? Any differences for men and women?

What would you like for Christmas? MALE (Column %) FEMALE (Column %) Large Appliances Small Appliances Clothing Money Non-material things … Canadian Gallup Poll, November 1953, #233

Nuclear War vs Communism? “Suppose you had to make the decision between fighting an all- out Nuclear war, or living under communist rule – How would you decide?” Interesting, isn’t it! How about the difference between men and women?

Nuclear War vs Communism? MALE (Column %) FEMALE (Column %) Fight Nuclear War Live under Communism Suppose you had to make the decision between fighting an all-out Nuclear war, or living under communist rule – How would you decide? Canadian Gallup Poll, November 1961, #292

Your next Question? Where is this data? How can I access it?

How did this come about? The Data world DDI Data Documentation Initiative The Tool Nesstar

In Ontario … One of the first players More players wanted to be involved in DDI A need for a unified and coordinated approach

In 2005 Data in Ontario (DINO) OCUL (Ontario Council of Ontario Universities) A dream

Ontario Data Documentation, Extraction Service and Infrastructure Initiative

Funding for Two primary sources of funding: Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) $250,000 Ontario Buys $750,000 In-kind contributions by partners $1.15 million over 2 years

Requirements for OntarioBuys OCUL

How to make Data Accessible? Best Practices Document (BPD) Document available for all interested in creating DDI documents lists recommended procedures to follow highlights recommended formats

Why DDI in ? Interoperability Richer Content Single Document – multiple purposes On-line subsetting and analysis Precision in searching

How is DDI Interpreted? Why you wouldn’t want to read DDI in raw format. How do I read it? The tool

Nesstar International National In Ontario DDI Search Explore Download Export

One-Stop Data Shopping….. At present several files scattered throughout the province Sharing is a challenge The ideal one-stop to access the files for all OCUL universities

Where do the Files Live? Scholars Portal Houses Nesstar server for all Ontario Universitites We load the files

Where are we now? Best Practices Document website Data (surveys) being added daily Training

What else … Other key points about survey data in Searching the old way the new way Exploring Saving Downloading

What files are available? Statistics Canada files available through the Data Liberation Initiative Census General Social Surveys Health Files Labour Files Other Special Surveys

Other Files Available Public Opinion Polls Canadian Gallup Files 1940s to 2000 in the 1980’s now

Exciting new data…. IPSOS-REID Public Opinion Polls 1988 – 1995 National Angus Reid Polls Monthly polls Online polls for the January 23, 2006 Federal Election Online polls for the October 11, 2007 Ontario Provincial Election

More Data … Election Surveys Academic Surveys – once we convince researchers to share them with us! More Statistics Canada Surveys Education Technology Income

A voyage in data discovery…. opens many doors To new and interesting data To students (especially undergrads) and faculty New partnerships in data exploration, eg. Ipsos-Reid

In Conclusion, will … Level playing field Equal access Equal opportunities Beginners Experienced users Encourage sharing Model for others

Thanks A collaborative effort Michelle Edwards, PhD, Guelph University Jeff Moon, Queen’s University Alexandra Cooper, Queen’s University

Contact Info Jane Fry x1121 Paula Hurtubise 3394 Wendy Watkins X8376 odesi.ca

And now … The moment you have been waiting for! odesi.ca