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2. Data Liberation Initiative
D L I UPDATE
U P L O A D S
D O W N L O A D S
R E L O A D S
CALGARY, DECEMBER 2003 1 3

3. DLI NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
In June a DLI National Training Day was held in Ottawa in conjunction with CAPDU and IASSIST
DLI provided financial assistance to help members from DLI institutions to attend
About 50% of DLI institutions sent at least one person – some sent more
All regions were represented 1 3

4. DLI NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
Sessions were held in English and French
From feedback received this national workshop can be considered as a great success
We will probably do this again in the future
More about this when Sage presents the report from the National Education Committee 1 3

5. DLI NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
Some important aspects of this workshop include:
Members from different regions were able to meet and mix with members from other regions
They were able to see that somewhere someone else was at the same level of data/statistical literacy with the same problems as them
As well, a number of DLI members stayed on to attend IASSIST – some for the first time 1 3

6. DLI NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
Chad Gadfield, Director of the Institute of Canadian Studies, University of Ottawa held a reception for CAPDU/DLI members 1 3

7. DLI FINANCIAL SITUATION
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI FINANCIAL SITUATION
As mentioned last year, we began our new invoicing procedures whereby all members receive their invoice during April – May
This change over went very smoothly with very few concerns expressed
This will help us better monitor our financial situation 1 3

8. DLI FINANCIAL SITUATION
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI FINANCIAL SITUATION
The last financial review was done for the October EAC meeting.
At that time it was reported that the program is in a better financial situation that was suspected 18 – 20 months ago
Unless something drastic occurs there should no need to increase revenues (i.e. member fees) for at least another 24 months 1 3

9. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI COLLECTION
We have continued to add files to our Collection
We now have over close to 20,000 files in the Collection – includes data and metadata
Over the past year we have added numerous Census files 1 3

10. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI COLLECTION
We add the Census files as soon as we get them, however this is not always as fast as some of our members would like
We have to wait our turn for Census to produce our files via special runs
Some of the tables we are supposed to receive are quite large and take a long time to produce 1 3

11. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI COLLECTION
In 2002 the number of FTP downloads was 42,360+
As of October the number of downloads is over 42,000
This is probably due to the increase in Census downloads 1 3

12. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI COLLECTION
Since 1995 there have been well over 251,000 FTP downloads
This is not an complete picture of downloads due as a number of institutions belong to consortiums where a file is downloaded once from DLI and placed in a regional/local server 1 3

13. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI COLLECTION
We are attempting to decrease the number of hardcopy products (CDs & paper metadata) that we disseminate
If we can place a CD product on the FTP we will , especially if the author division provides us with just one copy
We are also in the process of scanning in all of our paper products (metadata) and making them available on the site as PDF files 1 3

14. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI COLLECTION
We have just completed scanning in all the documentation for the Survey of Consumer Finance
This is cheaper than photocopying or burning hardcopy versions and them mailing and will save us money in the long run
If members still want us to replicate and mail a hardcopy version we will – but this will eventually have an impact on the budget 1 3

15. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI MEMBERSHIP
Earlier this year we received notice that two members had decided to withdraw:
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Red Deer College
Discussion with these two institutions were held by the EAC member in the respective regions to determine if they could be convinced to remain in the program 1 3

16. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI MEMBERSHIP
Unfortunately the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue did not change their mind BUT Red Deer College did
There are now 65 member institutions in the DLI program
When a member leaves the program there are a number of consequences 1 3

17. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI MEMBERSHIP
All use of data and files obtained through the program must stop
All data and files must be returned or destroyed or new licences must be obtained
New licences could also involve additional costs
They also lose access to level 2 data on the Census web site 1 3

18. Data Liberation Initiative
DLI MEMBERSHIP
We have had some enquires from other institutions about joining the DLI Program
Our normal response is to request that these institutions first check out our web site to learn about our licence and our collection
We also ask that they check out E-STAT to see if this will suit their data needs 1 3

19. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO EAC
According to our Governance guidelines three positions on the External Advisory Committee were up for renewal
A request was sent out via DLILIST for nominations -
- The response was overwhelming!
As a result the following members have been re-named to continue for an additional term: 1 3

20. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO EAC
Barbara Znamirowski from Trent University
Mary MacLeod from Acadia University
Chuck Humphrey from University of Alberta
Another change to the EAC was that Gaetan Drolet of Université Laval announced his retirement 1 3

21. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO EAC
This event made us realize that due to our current structure there would be 100% turnover of EAC member for the Quebec Region
As a result it was agreed that the structure of the EAC would be changed so that each region would be represented by two members
In this way only one regional position would come up for renewal at any one time 1 3

22. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO EAC
As well we would still retain the two other academic positions of:
a representative from the research community (currently Chad Gadfiled from University of Ottawa)
and one from the library director community (currently Mark Legott from University of Winnipeg)
At the next EAC meeting (spring 2004) the structure of the terms will be reviewed 1 3

23. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO EAC
Current Academic EAC members are:
Atlantic Region:
Elizabeth Hamiliton - UNB
Mary MacLeod – Acadia
Quebec Region:
Richard Boily - Université du Québec à Rimouski
Guy Julian – Université Laval 1 3

24. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO EAC
Ontario Region
Wendy Watkins – Carleton University
Barbara Znamirowski – Trent University
West Region
Chuck Humphrey – University of Alberta
Walter Piovesan – Simon Fraser University 1 3

25. TRAINING CO-ORDINATOR CHANGES
Data Liberation Initiative
TRAINING CO-ORDINATOR CHANGES
Another critical retirement is from our group of Regional Training Co-ordinators
Jerry Bull from Universitè de Montrèal will retire this December
Jerry and Gaetan were the DLI Regional Training Co-ordinators for Quebec
Again Sage will cover this and other changes tomorrow 1 3

26. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO DLI AT STC
As reported last year Christiane Rousseau did retire as of the end of October 2003
Her duties will be assumed by Anne Chartrand
Marie-Josée Bourgeois has joined the Section for a year to work full time on the web pages 1 3

27. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO DLI AT STC
Although last year I stated that Ernie Boyko would be retiring in June of 2003 he surprised all of us and stayed on
This year he has informed me that I can announce that it is his intention now to retire in June of 2004
Must be true as he has started to clean out his office 1 3

28. Data Liberation Initiative
CHANGES TO DLI AT STC
This fall we finally released our “new look” web pages and we have received favourable comments on the changes
We will be looking at all pages and making minor adjustments where required
If anyone has any suggestions as to content changes please let us know 1 3

29. DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
The DLI and the RDCs are two different points along the continuum of data access
There are some commonalities and overlaps within both Programs
Gustave Goldman, Director of the RDC program, was invited to the October EAC meeting to discuss how we could best work together 1 3

30. DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
One area that we have in common, and where we could benefit from working together, is in the area of METRICS
It is recognized that officially measuring and documenting data access and use is essential in order to demonstrate and maintain the viability of both programs 1 3

31. DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
For RDCs metrics is closely linked to continued funding for the program
In the case of DLI metrics, i.e. feedback to producing divisions, is linked to their continued willingness to provide DLI with data files 1 3

32. DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
We have agreed to work together to see if we can develop and implement procedures and techniques that will gather the information required by both programs
Another reason to work together on this is that collecting this information could take more resources than is available from each program individually 1 3

33. DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
We have also agreed that TRAINING is another area where we may be able to work together
It is felt that DLI members could benefit from learning what happens at the RDCs esp. with regard to confidentiality rules and guidelines 1 3

34. DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
As well RDCs reps could benefit from the type of training that we provide to our DLI Contacts
As a result, whenever feasible, someone from the local RDC will be invited to participate in Regional Training Workshops 1 3

35. DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
Data Liberation Initiative
DLI & RDC: A CONTINUUM RELATIONSHIP
To help strengthen the bridges between the two programs we have also decided to have representatives sit on each others committees
Raymond Currie has been named as the RDC representative on our External Advisory Committee
Wendy Watkins will sit as the DLI rep on the RDC National Co-ordinating Committee 1 3

36. OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Data Liberation Initiative
OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Stats Canada’a home page has had some minor changes
For example the sidebar has had some wording changes
Of interest to DLI members will be the:
Definitions, Data Sources and Methods link
The Studies link 1 3

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46. OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Data Liberation Initiative
OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
A number of cash prizes and awards from Stats Canada, often in conjunction with other agencies, are listed in the Learning Resources pages under Postsecondary
Prizes for Students in Education
$500 prize for the best curriculum project
$2,000 each for up to 5 educational research proposals using STC data
$500 for best foundations paper by a pre-service education student 1 3

47. OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Data Liberation Initiative
OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Prize for Students in Geography/Native Studies
$700 to a graduate student in geography or native studies for the best Master's or PhD thesis on an aboriginal topic. 1 3

48. OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Data Liberation Initiative
OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Prize for Students in Geography/ Environmental Studies
$750 to an undergraduate student in geography and/or environmental studies for the best paper examining impacts of human activity on Canada's environment
Students in Statistical Survey Methods
$200 for best paper in survey methods 1 3

49. OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Data Liberation Initiative
OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
A new program to help in determining quality of estimates
Many polls that appear in the news provide data quality guidelines like:
“These estimates are reliably within plus or minus 3% times out of 20”
For Stats Canada - determining quality of estimates retrieved from public use microdata files is done using Coefficients of Variation (CV) look up tables 1 3

50. OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Data Liberation Initiative
OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
These CV tables are found in the User Guides that accompany the public file
This is a very complex process that should be done before any estimates are published
The following excerpts from the User’ s Guide for the Adult Education and Training Survey 1998 shown some of the process that users are expected to go through 1 3

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61. OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Data Liberation Initiative
OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS
I will now demonstrate a new program being developed by a project team within Special Surveys Division that makes finding the CV of estimates much easier
If this is proves to be acceptable to users we will encourage other project teams within the division to also produce CV tables in this format 1 3

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