1. DLI Survival Guide www.statcan.gc.ca Telling Canada’s story in numbers
DLI Webinar series
October 2017

2. Objectives Review what is new with the DLI Survival Guide.
The DLI released a new version of the Survival Guide in May 2017
Looking for input from the community looking ahead
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3. What is it?
The Survival Guide is a comprehensive reference tool for DLI contacts and data service providers
Web-based
8 core sections and a glossary
Developed and maintained by DLI unit, the Professional Development committee, and with input from the DLI community (novice and expert users)
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4. Where to turn to: How do you access the EFT? What is the WDS?
How many types of microdata files are there?
What is the difference between a PUMF and a Masterfile?
Forgot your EFT or listserv (archive) password?
Can someone name either a Canadian or international data organization?
Some of the questions that you will be able to address using the Guide
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5. A brief history
Based on the “Brian McNally First Aid CD-ROM” which was produced by Elizabeth Hamilton and her team at the University of New Brunswick (UNB)
Primary intent of the work was to provide a quick reference guide for the librarian who dedicates a short amount of time to data services
Guide was then expanded to serve all of the DLI Contacts across Canada through the efforts of Jane Fry, Carleton University, and the DLI Unit at Statistics Canada
Chuck Humphrey, University of Alberta and Nancy Lemay, University of Ottawa, also contributed to the Guide
 Updated once again in 2014 by the DLI unit and Professional development committee (then Edu Com)
The use of statistical data for teaching and research purposes in Canada has substantially increased with the creation of the Data Liberation Initiative [DLI] program in While some Canadian universities have a long history in providing data services, that was certainly not the norm. It was understood, that proper usage of data required an understanding of data concepts in addition to a working knowledge of extraction and analysis tools.
A training module for new data librarians, in the format of a print binder, was originally developed in 1997 by the DLI Unit based on the “Brian McNally First Aid CD ROM”. The content of the module quickly fell out of date, and the print resource was difficult to maintain. The DLI’s objective was to inform its communities of the content of their holdings and then help them to access the data. Hence the DLI Survival Guide was born.
The Guide was expanded to serve a wide variety of needs for those delivering data services across Canada and numerous contributions were made from the community.
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6. Maintaining relevance
Community feedback through the listserv or ed directly to the DLI unit
Review of evolving training needs
In years past, an increased demand for workshops focusing on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial data and more recently on Research Data Management (RDM)
Formal program evaluations – The Survey of DLI Contacts and Alternates
Since the Survival Guide’s inception, the DLI continually assesses the relevancy of the information targeted to its community of users. This has been achieved through various mediums, including client feedback through the listserv, reviewing training needs, and through the DLI Contact Survey.
A review of session topics over the years highlights emerging trends in information and data service delivery (e.g. increased demand for workshops focusing on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial data and more recently on Research Data Management (RDM). As a result, the DLI responded by creating a section within the Survival Guide focused specifically on Geography files available through the DLI Collection.
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7. What’s new in the guide New landing page
Each section has been revised, expanded or completely revamped
In response to user feedback and review of topic trends from training session presentations, sections of the guide have been restructured and new content has been developed. There are currently 8 modules (in addition to the glossary) within the Guide, detailing information about the program, administrative resources, and how to access the collection. Core sections frequently consulted in supporting data literacy are the sections on data concepts, working with data, and how to access data. A new section of the Guide, entitled “Role of a DLI Contact”, outlines the basic data service skills to be developed through the DLI, and emerging areas of potential skills and knowledge required to support research data services.
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8. Section 1 – About the DLI
About the Data Liberation Initiative - DLI program, the members, and committees, DLI reports
Revised the Continuum of access
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9. Section 2 – Administration
Administration - DLI Licence, passwords, travel subsidies, and the program's administration.
Sections:
The DLI Licence
EFT password
DLI Contacts
DLI Training Sessions
Travel subsidies
Fees and Invoicing
Withdrawing from the DLI Program
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10. Section 3 – Role as DLI Contact
NEW
Section 3 – Role as DLI Contact
Role of DLI Contact – Areas of responsibility, Alternates, graphic identifier, and training opportunities
Sections:
DLI Contacts
DLI Alternates
The DLI Graphic Identifier
Training and Professional Development
DLI Contacts support research and teaching at their respective institutions and, in turn, are supported by the program in this objective. DLI Contacts are invited to participate in various training opportunities, including national and regional DLI training workshops and webinar sessions. The regional workshops are organized by the Professional Development Committee and focus on the development of basic skills and competencies of a data professional and will offer more advance skill sessions as required. The sessions are also an opportunity to bring in subject matter experts and knowledgeable DLI Contacts to present on emerging trends in research. The peer-to-peer model for training and inspiring DLI Contacts is beyond compare. DLI Contacts, new and experienced, are encouraged to participate as presenters, moderator or even organizer.
To support the professional development needs of its members, DLI continuously strives to foster the development of capacity and expertise for new and emerging roles through training initiatives relating to the broad range of data services, including but not limited to data visualization, data curation, reference services, and data literacy instruction.
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11. Section 4 – Resources
Resources - Additional sources of information - Contacts, resources to help answer questions and other reference materials (newsletter, repository of training materials, etc.), DLI graphic identifier.
Sections:
The dlilist
The DLI Update Newsletter
The DLI Training Repository
Contacts
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12. Section 5 – Data concepts
NEW
NEW
Data Concepts - Data types, statistical methods, classification systems used at Statcan.
Sections:
About Data
Statistical methods
Metadata
Aggregate Data
Microdata
Access to PUMF through DLI
Classification systems used at Statistics Canada
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13. Section 6 – Working with Data
Working with Data- Using microdata files, statistical software, different types of geography files available in the DLI Collection and some tools to work with these files.
Sections:
Using Microdata Files
Statistical Analysis Software
Using Software
Geospatial Data
Using Geospatial Software
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14. Section 7 – The DLI Collection
Expanded
Accessing and Citing DLI Data – Contents of the DLI Collection, how to access the DLI Collection and how to cite the materials used in research.
Sections:
What is in the DLI Collection
Accessing DLI Data
The DLI EFT Site
The DLI Nesstar
WDS
DLI Mirror Site
Secondary Data Distributers
Other sources of data
Citing Data
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15. Section 8 – FAQ
Previously a section focused on technical information, the content was highly of out date and was replaced with a FAQ.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions, including how to handle a technical problem, troubleshooting the listserv, and how to request a password reset for the EFT.
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16. Section 9 – Glossary
In response to user feedback and review of topic trends from training session presentations, sections of the guide have been restructured and new content has been developed. There are currently nine modules within the Guide, detailing information about the program, administrative resources, and how to access the collection. Core sections frequently consulted in supporting data literacy are the modules on data concepts, working with data, and how to appropriately cite data products. A new section of the Guide, entitled “Role of a DLI Contact”, outlines the basic data service skills to be developed through the DLI, and emerging areas of potential skills and knowledge required to support research data services. This information enables Contacts from various institutions with different requirements to identify skill gaps and competency elements where they may be able to grow capacity or a specific set of skills. In turn, this would form the foundation for training programs or development opportunities supported by the program through its PD Committee.
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17. Challenges Timeliness Community engagement
Results of DLI Contact survey
Span of time to identify trends in workshop topics
Feedback from community
Community engagement
Guide created for DLI Contacts, how to ensure it meets your needs
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18. Looking ahead
Is there an interest among the community to maintain this as a resource?
How best to solicit feedback in the future?
Listserv
Focus groups at regional training sessions/teleconferences/online platforms?
Should the guide move to a collaborate space, such as GCcollab or Google Docs
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19. Special thanks to DLI Team at the time of this exercise
Elizabeth Hill, Western University
Carolyn DeLorey, St. Francis Xavier University
Julie Marcoux, Dalhousie University
Caroline Patenaude, Université de Montréal
Berenica Vejvoda, McGill University
Sandra Keys, University of Waterloo
Alex Cooper, Queen's University
Marilyn Andrews, University of Regina
Tara Stieglitz, MacEwan University
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20. Questions?
Contact the DLI Unit:
Listserv:
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