The scholarly community is at a critical junction in the emergence of integrated information systems and statistical analysis tools referred to as the Data Web. This is particularly evident in the social science data infrastructure, summarized by the NESSTAR project at: http://www.nesstar.org/papers/GlobalAccess.html
The CDS collection is a unique and valuable resource at Yale. Its use and integration into standard discovery systems is critical to its role as an integral part of research and teaching in the Social Sciences. The collection could serve as a model for integrating numeric data into the larger metadata infrastructure. As a model for future development, we look toward developing technologies, information structures, and service for this and other extensive numeric resources at Yale.
To begin this process, we propose as a first step to create a detailed inventory and assessment of the CDS collection's household surveys and community files. Understanding the content and quality of this particular collection will allow us to assess its potential and evaluate its use, interest, comprehensiveness, preservation risk, and uniqueness.
The second step will be to evaluate the collection in relation to WWW discovery and analysis applications.
The third step will be to evaluate the metadata tools available for resource discovery and the development of intelligent data objects. For example, we want to look at the potential utility of the following:
The fourth step will be to identify potential collaborators, exchange ideas, and seek partnerships with developers of Data Web resources and initiatives world wide.
The final step of this project will be to create a report on our findings and to present them to the Yale community through SCOPA forums and contacts with interested faculty and members of Academic Media and Technology. We will also present our findings to professional organizations (e.g. ALA and IASSIST)
A) inventory and assess Yale's Economic Growth Center numeric holdings (description of study, format/s of study, availability and condition of accompanying documentation, publications based upon study, uniqueness, estimate of value, preservation risk assessment)
B) inventory and assess WWW applications relevant to the discovery and analysis of these materials, including identification of potential partners for joint development efforts
C) inventory and assess examples of standard metadata tools necessary for pushing materials to the WWW
$1,000.00 for student employee at $10.00 per hour to produce inventory of the EGC or other collections. Estimated student employee time: 100 hours.
Proof of concept: a model for future development (further supporting grants to be sought from other sources)
Integrating selected numeric resources and their accompanying documentation into WWW-based discovery and analysis systems has tremendous potential to positively affect faculty productivity in teaching, research, and publishing.
The inventories and assessments we propose to create under this grant are essential first steps toward integrating numeric data resources and their documentation into WWW-based discovery and analysis systems.
With the inventories we propose, we will be able to act further to integrate the items from the collections at Yale into:
With the inventories we propose, we will be able to begin to build partnerships and seek funding in collaboration with other developers around the world, such as
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3. Methodology
4. Timeline
Student Work:
Feb 2000
Hire student; Design inventory instrument and train
June 2000
Finish inventory (Methodology Section A above), produce collection evaluation
Professional Work:
Feb---August 2000
Assessment of Methodology Sections B and C, above
June---August 2000
Evaluation of EGC collection as a model
September 2000
Report and SCOPA presentations
5. Expenses
6. Contributions
6a. To Yale:
6b. To other metadata developments:
6c. Partnerships: